A fresh new shining pair of whites. Traditionally, these will be left to turn mouldy during the off season.

The term whites can be used to describe the full catalogue of cricket clothing (shirts, sweaters, trousers, etc) but is more commonly to refer to cricket trousers. Whites may be be a confusing descriptive as most modern cricket apparel is a cream colour. Even in the modern era, even the multi-coloured clothes worn in one day cricket games are referred to as whites.

Cricket clothing is white (cream) in colour because the ball used in the game is red and the contrast avoids any difficulties in seeing the ball. Although some colour is allowed on sweaters and caps, virtually none is permitted on the trousers, although allowances are made for red marks caused by the process of shining the ball, and any staining resulting from poor toiletry.

Grades cricketers, traditionally, leave their whites in their cricket bags from when one season finishes, until the first friendly match of the next. This often proves to be an embarrassing moment and is often called "Greening", due to the discoloration of the trouser material by mould. "Greened" players tend to turn in outstanding performances in the field, diving around hoping to amass grass stains and disguise the effects of Greening from affronted wives.

The styling of whites has mostly remained the same for 40-50 years and (though manufacturers may vary) they stray dangerously close to the flared. One modern (and welcome) improvement is the consignment of the fly (button or zipper) to the depths of cricket hell. This, combined with elasticated waistbands, has prolonged the average Grades cricketer's career well into and beyond middle age.