Why do keepers wear long sleeves?

[angryangy]

Cricket is played in the summer. If you are wicket keeping, you are NOT going to get cold in 25-45 degree heat. When you exercise, your body warms UP, so if anything, it would be warmer. (Unless a breeze is caught under the sleeves). Going by that logic, bowlers, batsman hell even fielders would be waring long sleeves as to keep warm.

I think Feelin Blue? has the most accurate answer so far.. I think it might just be tradition.. or it looks cool.

Bowlers, batsmen, keepers and fielders have different roles, although you do find many bowlers wear vests when you would otherwise think it is unnecessary. You're not going to feel uncomfortable in normal summer weather, but the human body is almost always hotter than the air, meaning your muscles are usually losing heat to the air. Even in hot weather, it's going to affect the chance of cramp, but I don't know whether that is something they worry about.

On the other hand, you may be on to something. How often do you see the keeper go off the field with a soft tissue injury? A lot less than anyone else. Considering the uptake of thermal undergarments like Skins, maybe everyone should have been wearing more all along.

 

[jordox]

Bowlers, batsmen, keepers and fielders have different roles, although you do find many bowlers wear vests when you would otherwise think it is unnecessary. You're not going to feel uncomfortable in normal summer weather, but the human body is almost always hotter than the air, meaning your muscles are usually losing heat to the air. Even in hot weather, it's going to affect the chance of cramp, but I don't know whether that is something they worry about.

On the other hand, you may be on to something. How often do you see the keeper go off the field with a soft tissue injury? A lot less than anyone else. Considering the uptake of thermal undergarments like Skins, maybe everyone should have been wearing more all along.

Yeah. I would bet 1000 bucks it isn't to keep them warm. The addition of 30cm extra cloth will not do ANYTHING in the summer when you are keeping to warm you up.

 

[etho11]

It might just give them more control of there gloves.

 

[Master Khan]

I think it because it cool to wear long sleeves
or probably because they might be cold

 

[wicked_dude]

maybe to reduce sweating on their hands

 

[usy]

Well if you're having a bad time, you try everything....

Spoiler

Kamran Akmal

 

[Sureshot]

It could be as simple as they find it comfortable, it might protect their skin a little more from abrasions too.

 

[Skater]

Cricket might be played in summer, but it got down to 5C in the 2nd Test between England and West Indies this year!

 

[Animator!]

Baggy short sleeves can get caught on the tops of sides of your pads so you arms get stuck, so your a bit screwed if that happens and you try to take a ball.

 

[jordox]

I found in an old bradman book saying:

"Long sleeves for keepers as not to interfere with movement."

So yeah, I think they are slicker. And also, it would reduce your arms getting scratched.

And people.. Stop saying it's because they are cold like every keeper bear McCullum wears them. We all know how hot it is in South Africa, Australia and the Sub-Continent and yet they still wear them.

 

[Simbazz]

In all honesty, i dont think it makes much differnce, except at the front and back end of the season when its a bit colder and the ball does actually sting so much you could scream and be heard for miles.

If you ask me, a lot of keepers will wear long sleeves just for the look, because a short sleeved shirt and gloves just doesnt look attractive, its like looking at someone out of a cartoon!

 

[mattfb]

Baggy short sleeves can get caught on the tops of sides of your pads so you arms get stuck, so your a bit screwed if that happens and you try to take a ball.

Thats the best answer to this question i've heard as well as Simons.

 

[jordox]

Thats the best answer to this question i've heard as well as Simons.

Yeah "Long sleeves for keepers as not to interfere with movement" sums that up.

Lets sum it all up people. Keepers wear them to:

1: Easier to move and they wont get "stuck" on their pads if they wear long ones.
2:Stops arms from getting scratched when diving, etc
3: Minor protection against the ball.
4: To look cool.

 

[icyman]

They wear long sleeves so that the ball can get stuck in them.
That would be a legal catch.

 

[Sureshot]

The sleeves are never baggy enough to take a catch, completely different to the Kaif incident (it was Kaif, wasn't it?).