Cricket Whites vs Coloured Kits: When to Wear What
The Printed Cue TeamShare
One of the first things new US cricket players ask: "Why do they sometimes wear white and sometimes colour?" The answer is rooted in cricket's 150-year history, but for US clubs in 2026, the practical version matters more. Here's what each format actually wears.
The short version
- Cricket whites — Test cricket, traditional formats, longer matches (red ball)
- Coloured kits — ODI, T20, club leagues, league play (white ball)
Cricket whites — the traditional kit
White flannel trousers, white shirt or sweater, white pads visible over white trousers. The "whites" tradition comes from the Victorian era when cricket was a gentleman's leisure sport. Practical reasons:
- White reflects heat — useful when cricket matches go 5-7 hours in summer sun
- Red ball (used in long-format cricket) is highly visible against white
- Cricket's "spirit of the game" tradition values formality
When US clubs wear whites: Test-format matches (rare in US), tradition-focused matches, "Sunday whites" league formats, exhibition matches with foreign visiting teams.
Coloured kits — the modern game
Bright team colors with name and number on the back, often with sponsor logos. Origin: the 1977 Kerry Packer World Series Cricket revolution introduced floodlit matches, the white ball, and coloured kits — and never looked back.
When US clubs wear coloured kits: Almost everything. T20 leagues, ODI-style matches, Major League Cricket, Minor League Cricket, college tournaments, regional leagues, weekend recreational play.
What US club teams actually need (2026 reality)
For 90% of US cricket clubs, you're playing coloured-kit matches. So invest in:
- 1 main coloured jersey — team colors, names, numbers, sponsors
- 1 set of cricket trousers — usually white or matching the kit's pant color
- 1 team cap — branded with logo
- Optional: training tees, hoodies, jackets for practice and travel
You probably don't need cricket whites unless you're playing Test-format or your league explicitly requires it.
Fabric and print considerations differ
Whites have specific demands:
- True white fabric (off-white reads as dirty in photos)
- Treatments that resist grass and red-ball stains
- Minimal logos — traditional whites have only a small team crest and player name
Coloured kits are more flexible:
- DTF prints handle the bold colors and detailed sponsor logos well
- Moisture-wicking polyester is standard
- You can layer designs, gradients, full-bleed graphics
Bonus: what about practice kits?
Most clubs have a separate practice tee — often a simpler design, lower price point. Practice tees take a beating from nets and don't need to look spectacular. Common spec:
- Cotton or cotton-poly blend (more comfortable for long practice sessions)
- Single-color print on chest
- Team name + year on the back
- $15-25 per piece in bulk
Want help designing both?
The Printed Cue makes both cricket whites and coloured kits, plus matching trousers, caps, training tees, and team accessories. USA-made with DTF prints that hold up wash after wash. Talk to a designer on WhatsApp to mock up your full kit before you order.