A strong footing is essential for every great cricketer, and that’s exactly why Cricket Spikes were created.
But what are cricket spikes? Cricket spikes are spiked shoes specially designed to enhance grip and performance on the field. Just like any other cricket equipment, quality shoes are a must for players serious about excelling in the sport.
Cricket spikes are not just any shoes. They are shoes equipped with cleats that provide the necessary traction, support, protection, and durability for optimal performance of a player.
Picture a batsman stepping onto the pitch, ready to hit a six. As he moves swiftly, lifting the bat, bending his knee, and shifting his weight to the front leg, it’s the spikes that dig into the turf, offering the stability and grip he needs to execute his shot with precision.
Read on to find out more about this essential piece of cricket gear.
History of Cricket Spikes: Samuel Foster and His Shoes
There’s an interesting story to the origin of Cricket Spikes.
Back in 1829, there was a shoemaker named Samuel Foster, who lived In the small village of Sandiacre. One day a man named Samuel Biddulph came looking for Samuel (the shoemaker) to get his cricket shoes altered.
Biddulph was a cricket prodigy and wanted to enhance his game. Only hobnails weren’t doing him any good. As it happened, both men sat together and thought and thought till they found a solution.
After picking their brains, the two Samuels got the bright idea of adding spikes to Biddulph’s shoes.
In no time, their bright idea and its wondrous results spread far and wide and cricketers from far away travelled to Sandiacre to get cricket shoes with spikes on them.
Hence, cricket spikes came into being. Today, every cricketer in the world owes to the two Samuels for this amazing discovery.
Benefits of Cricket Spikes
It is said that the real magic of cricket shoes lies in their soul. From the outside, cricket spikes look like any pair of ordinary shoes until you peek at their spikes.
These shoes have gone through various evolutions and adaptations over the years. Today, every cricket
player owns a pair of these spiked footwear. Here’s what sets spiked shoes apart from regular sports shoes:
1. Enhanced Grip
Grass on a cricket pitch is prone to become slippery at times. In addition, cricket grounds seldom get moist due to humid weather, rainfall or water sprinklers.
To avoid any such inconvenience, cricket spikes come in to provide superior traction, stability and grip on the ground, especially on grassy or damp surfaces.
This is crucial for maintaining balance and stability during quick movements, such as running between the wickets or fielding.
2. Better Performance
The grip offered by spikes allows bowlers to have a stable run-up and follow-through, helping them maintain control and generate speed. Spiked shoes also offer great cushioning and comfort on the inside.
For batsmen, shoes with spikes help in maintaining a firm stance and quick footwork, which is extremely vital for playing shots and avoiding getting out.
3. Injury Prevention
Cricket Spikes reduce the likelihood of slipping and falling, which can lead to bruises and injuries, sometimes minor and sometimes long-term.
In cricket, swift movement and quick direction changes are particularly important. A sturdy grip allows such movements while decreasing the probability of falling.
4. Surface Adaptation
Different cricket grounds have varying conditions. Similarly, different cricket spikes have different amounts of traction and grip.
For this reason, cricket Spikes can be custom-made to adapt to a diverse range of on-field conditions. Longer spikes work best for wet or grassy pitches and shorter ones are optimum for harder, dry surfaces.
5. Confidence Boost
Knowing they have the right footing can give cricket players the confidence to perform at their best, without worrying about losing their ground.
A confident player puts his best-spiked foot forward in his every move.
That is why, good cricket spikes provide confidence combined with comfort to give players a great edge in competitive cricket matches.
Types of Cricket Spikes and Their Varying Advantages
Rubber Spikes:
Rubber Spikes are made of thermoplastic polyurethane.
Besides, Rubber spiked shoes are softer than Metal spiked shoes. These shoes are designed to withstand long hours on the pitch. They provide maximum long-term comfort to the wearer.
When buying Rubber spiked shoes, go for options that provide an ultra-soft lightweight upper for supreme comfort, an inner support structure for stability, an EVA midsole for optimal cushioning and a multi-studded rubber outsole ensuring exceptional grip.
Metal Spikes:
Metal spiked or knife-spiked shoes are lace-up cricket shoes with sharp metal spikes that create a strong grip while maintaining the comfort of the cricketer.
No matter how strong the metal is, the cricketer’s foot does not feel its impact. These shoes offer enhanced stability and strength to the cricketer.
Metal spiked shoes are slightly heavier than rubber spiked shoes and offer a longer field life owing to the strength of the material used.
Which Cricket Spikes should you go for?
The type of Cricket Spikes may differ according to the requirement of the player. Batsmen, bowlers, and fielders each have their styles and responsibilities on the field.
Surely, a single type of shoe doesn’t fit everyone. That is why choosing shoes with specialized or uniquely tailored designs is your best bet!
Full Spiked Shoes:
Full spiked cricket shoes have four blades that penetrate the soul.
These shoes offer an enhanced grip and a better planting of the foot during delivery. Full-spiked shoes work best on green grass-like surfaces.
Cricket players with expertise in bowling must go for this four-bladed footwear.
Half-Spiked Shoes:
Half-spiked cricket shoes have two blades on their souls. These shoes offer a lightweight batting experience and additional cushion support. They work best on hard concrete-like surfaces.
Cricket players with expertise in batting must go for these.
Make or Break Your Game
Ancestors from various cultures put immense importance on a person’s footwear. For instance, they say, “With the right shoes, one can rule the world.” Similarly, with the right cricket spikes, a player can rule the game!
Famous Cricket Players like M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have to wear cricket spikes day in, and day out. Therefore, like any other cricket equipment, going for the appropriate type and arrangement of shoes is of critical importance. Cricket shoes can indeed make or break your game.
So, are you ready to grip every opportunity with your Cricket Spikes?
