It is by no means an exaggeration when I say the cricket bat is the most important equipment to be able to play cricket. Now, you may be laughing thinking “obviously it’s the most important, how would you bat without a cricket bat”. Well, yes that is true, but you’d also be surprised by how much a bat can affect your performance.
Every single aspect from the size of the bat to the individual grain influences the direction of the game, and believe me, there are a lot of aspects to consider!
Thus, choosing a cricket bat can be a fearsome task to surmount, even more so if it’s your first time. However, there’s no need to worry because this article is written with the intention of addressing all your concerns and questions!
Before we begin, I recommend keeping in mind your cost preferences and specific needs for your level of play while reading the guide. Considering these two factors make it much easier to make an appropriate decision! Now, without further ado, let’s dive right in and start the guide!
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Size
The size of the cricket bat is the first and most obvious factor to consider when choosing a bat. If you’re an adult, this step is quite simple! You can refer to the size chart below to determine what size will be the best fit for you.
| Bat Size | Approx. Age | Height of Batsman |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 to 5 | up to 4ft 3in |
| 2 | 6 to 7 | 4’3″ to 4’6″ |
| 3 | 8 | 4’6″ to 4’9″ |
| 4 | 9 to 11 | 4’9″ to 4’11” |
| 5 | 10 to 12 | 4’11” to 5’2″ |
| 6 | 11 to 13 | 5’2″ to 5’5″ |
| Harrow | 12 to 14 | 5’5″ to 5’8″ |
| Full Size (Short Handle) | 15+ | 5’8″ to 6’3″ |
| Full Size (Long Handle) | 15+ | 6’3″ and taller |
On the other hand, if you’re a parent searching for a cricket bat for your child or a youth player, there is more to think about before making the decision. The first thought when it comes to growing cricketers may be regarding future or long-term usage.
As a result, you may be thinking of buying a bat that’s slightly bigger than needed.
I must warn you, however, that choosing the wrong size can affect performance, ruin control, and hinder technical growth! It is always better to select the correct size and replace the cricket bat as the youth player grows out of it.
Selecting the Willow
When it comes to the type of wood, the two points mentioned in the beginning (cost preferences and specific needs) are vital! The most common type of wood used in cricket bats is willow and it comes in two types: Kashmir Willow and English Willow.
Kashmir willow is the most commonly used type in India. It is a great choice for beginner and intermediate players! Its durability and strength make it suitable for batting powerhouses. What makes this wood so popular in India is that it comes in much variety and is available for purchase in a range of reasonable prices!
Overall, English willow is considered better than Kashmir willow for good reason. Most, if not all, professional players use English willow because of its better quality and enhanced “spring”. It is sold by “grade” which is a number that describes its quality and performance. The numbers range from 1 to 5 with Grade 1 willow being the best of the best.
As with most things in life, higher quality does mean higher prices. English willow tends to be expensive and that’s why you don’t see as many beginner and intermediate players using it!
Number of Grains
Grains are related to willow and also affect performance and durability. If you’re interested in counting the number of grains yourself, all you have to do is look for the vertical grains running from the top of the bat to the bottom!
It is a general rule of thumb that a cricket bat with between 6 to 12 grains is a good one. Those with around 6 grains tend to be softer which means that it will require more time dedicated to knocking it in. It will also take longer for it to reach its peak performance!
As the number of grains increases, the performance of the cricket bat increases while the resilience decreases. It’s always a smart idea to keep this ratio in mind while selecting a bat!
Shape of Cricket Bat
If you’re new to playing cricket, you’re probably wondering, “Aren’t all cricket bats shaped the same?”. Well, the answer to that would be a strong no!
Now, I won’t go too much into detail because the topic can get quite technical. The main terminology you would need to know while choosing a cricket bat is the categorization of sweet spots. The sweet spot refers to the part of the bat which is the thickest, and therefore, is the most durable.
Selecting the most ideal sweet spot placement for your bat involves knowing your batting style. We’ll be discussing exactly that by describing each type in detail in the following paragraphs:
Low Sweet Spot
A cricket bat with a low sweet spot is thickest at the bottom of the bat or towards the toe. This shape is ideal for batsmen who tend to hit straight shots or are front foot players. The location of the sweet spot allows you to hit the best drivers with optimal power!
Middle Sweet Spot
As suggested by the label, bats with middle sweet spots are thickest in the middle of the cricket bat. They are best suited for players with a more general style of playing. This refers to players who may tend to switch their plays up.
These cricket bats are also a great choice for players who are just starting out and don’t really have a clear idea of their style of batting yet. So if you’re a beginner in the game, this type of cricket bat is definitely worth considering!
High Sweet Spot
Lastly, this type of cricket bat has a sweet spot closer to the top or towards the handle. This is ideal for back foot players who score runs by hitting aerial shots, hook shots or cuts.
Comfort of Handling
Comfort plays a huge role in performance and there is a multitude of elements that influence this. The first of these elements is the weight of the cricket bat! The location of the sweet spot determines that part where the weight of the cricket bat is concentrated.
Whether a heavier or lighter bat is a better fit for you completely depends on your strengths. The weight affects speed, control, power, pick-up, and a lot more! While the heavier bats are stronger and allow power-packed swings, the lighter bats give better control and speed to the swing.
Again, what is considered light or heavy is subjective so remember to consider your own abilities!
Another aspect that affects comfort is the shape of the handle of the cricket bat. This matters because your ability to grip the cricket bat influences the control you have on swings. Generally, there are two types:
- Round – batsmen who are likely to rely on their bottom hand to swing are encouraged to choose this type of handle. Firmly gripping the round shape of the handle is also easier and allows for more control.
- Oval – this shape is better suited for batsmen who rely on their top hand to swing. If you’re someone who thinks and plays technically, this type is definitely worth a look at! It makes directional control and pick-up easier to accomplish.
Final Considerations
Now that we’ve explored all of the main details when selecting a cricket bat, we can move on to some final points of consideration which are a little more nuanced in nature.
One thing you should surely keep an eye out for is whether the cricket bat comes with a toe guard. Cricket bats are weaker at the bottom so toe guards are vital in preventing damage to that part of the bat. Most modern bats do come with a toe guard but some still don’t. Even if it isn’t sold with a toe guard, it’s always better to get one fitted so that the cricket bat lasts for a longer time!
Another point is whether the cricket bat is pre-knocked or not. Knocking-in is the process of lightly hitting the surface of the bat to strengthen it pre-match. Although it is recommended to carry out knocking in regardless of the selling condition, pre-knocked bats are a good choice if you’re not sure how to go about the process.
Finally, which cricket bat you should go for depends on the level of play and the type of ball you are intending on using it with. If you’ll be playing with tennis balls or rubber balls, you need not worry too much. However, if you’re using it for higher-level matches with leather balls or polystyrene balls, then it would benefit you to select a better quality bat!
If you don’t have the time to do some in-depth research to find the perfect cricket bat, I would recommend you check out this article. I’ve already done the research and analysis of different bats so that you don’t waste your valuable money and time.
That bring us to the end of this guide! After all of this information, you feel much better equipped to choose a cricket bat now. I wish you all the very best on your search!