Choosing a great Cricket Bat can set your season up for greatness, choosing the wrong cricket bat.... and you will regret ever walking to the crease. In this post, we explain a bat's different aspects and how to choose the best bat for you.
It is difficult to know what bat will suit you especially if you have never played cricket before, however, there are a few different aspects which impact the bat in various ways and can enhance your strengths and reduce your weaknesses.
Below are all the aspects that go into designing a bat graded in order of importance (if you are a beginner you probably only need the first 3).
Have I missed anything?? Let me know in the comments below.
Size
Getting the correct size bat is the most important thing, the table below gives a rough guide based on height, alternatively, the bat should come to just below the waistline of a batter when it is stood up next to them.
BAT SIZE | PLAYER HEIGHT (cm) | PLAYER HEIGHT (in) |
Size 1 | - 130 | - 4'3" |
Size 2 | 130 - 137 | 4'3" - 4'6" |
Size 3 | 137 - 145 | 4'6" - 4'9" |
Size 4 | 145 - 152 | 4'9" - 5' |
Size 5 | 152 - 160 | 5' - 5'3" |
Size 6 | 160 - 165 | 5'3" - 5'5" |
Harrow | 165 - 170 | 5'5" - 5'7" |
Small Adult | 170 - 175 | 5'7" - 5'9" |
Short Handle | 175 - 183 | 5'9" - 6' |
Long Blade | 183 + | 6' + |
Weight
The weight of the bat is also important to get right, too light and you will be forced to run a lot, (easier for some than others), too heavy and you will be the next person in the picture below.
Bat weights are measured in pounds (Lb) and ounces (oz) and range from 2Lb 4oz to 3Lb 1oz, though most manufacturers only produce 2lb 7oz to 2lb 14 oz as this is considered the optimum range.
Lighter bats give greater hand speed and are more manoeuvrable, whereas heavier bats tend to be more forgiving and allow you to generate more power from a slower swing.
For a beginner, it is important to either order several bats and return the ones you don't like the feel of, or go and pick up some bats at a shop near you, this will help you get a feel for what weight suits you best (you can still buy online if you see the same bat cheaper, don't worry). If you are already familiar with what weight you like, it is easier for you to select the appropriate weight from the specifications online.
Willow Grade/Price
The willow grade will depend on the level of cricket you play and your budget. If you are a beginner and are playing cricket for the first time then buying a £500 grade 1 bat is pointless, spending £500 on coaching will be a better investment. We recommend getting a grade 3 or 4 bat for starting out, and this should cost between £80 to £160. You can see the lower grades of willow on the right and the higher(better) grades on the left.
Whatever you do DON'T BUY KASHMIR WILLOW!! Always English. Having tested a high-grade Kashmir willow bat I can safely say that even a low grade of English willow is superior.
On the other hand, as you climb the ranks of cricket and improve, a better quality bat will be of more importance, if you are playing for a high-quality first team and you have some pros and semi-pros in your league, that might be an indication that getting a high-quality bat will help your game significantly.
We have included a table below.
Level of Cricketer | Description of Player | Bat Grade |
Amateur Cricketer | Casual Cricketer- Doesn't play or train regularly, not that worried about improving | Grade 4 or 5 (Up to £120) |
Aspiring Club Cricketer | Plays and trains more regularly in a lower league/team. Anxious to improve | Grade 2 or 3 (Up to £200) |
Premier Club Cricketer | Plays and trains regularly in a higher league for a 1st team, driven and intent on winning and improving. | Grade 1 or 2 (Up to £500) |
Semi Professional | High-quality cricketer- gets paid to play in the highest non-professional leagues. Often paid to be part of a club and offer advice and coaching to other members. | Grade 1- potential for sponsorships here (£400+) |
Professional | Full-time professional cricketer, paid a working wage to play for a county or national team. | Premium Grade 1- Should be fully sponsored |
Handle
There are three types of handles which benefit different styles, but the most important thing is that it feels right for you, so if you pick up a bat, it feels nice and you can play your shots easily, then go for it!
The Round handle is more for players who naturally like or play off the back foot and are very bottom-hand dominant. A round handle is defined by the height and the width being the same at the bottom of the handle.
The Semi-Oval handle is for the player who likes the best of both, assisting in keeping a light grip on the bottom hand, but not interfering when playing cross-bat shots. The semi-oval is defined as being slightly taller in height and round on the sides.
The Oval handle is perfect for players who need to keep their bottom hand out of their straight bat shots. The oval handle is defined by being very tall in height and slightly skinnier in width at the bottom of the handle
The Bat Shape
Edge, spine and face profiles, and concaving
Edges are thicker on modern bats than they have ever been, this means that power hitting is easier and forgiveness is maximised, there are ranges from 30mm to 40mm depending on whether you want to save some weight, or maximise forgiveness. The other aspect to consider is flat of rounded edges, flat edges give maximum forgiveness as they maximise the bat face, rounded edges however offer better durability and are less prone to cracks or chips.
The spine is the raised part of the back of the bat, a higher spine means more power from the middle of the bat with a bigger sweet spot and more balanced weight distribution.
Straight Spines: Offer a traditional feel with balanced weight distribution.
Rounded Spines: Provide a more modern feel, making the bat lighter and easier to maneuver.
Duckbill Spines: Flatten out towards the toe, reducing weight and making the bat lighter and less forgiving without compromising on the power generated from the middle of the bat.
You also need to decide where you want the spine profile largest for the sweetspot, if you are a back foot player, a higher sweetspot is usually better, or if you are a front foot player thne a lower sweetspot will make your best shots easier.
The face of the bat can be flat or have a slight curvature.
Flat Face: Modern bats often feature a flatter face, which helps in providing a larger surface area for striking the ball. This can enhance power and forgiveness, making it easier to play aggressive shots.
Curved Face: Traditional bats have a slightly curved (cambered) face. This curvature can help with control and timing, making it easier to play delicate shots where deft placement is needed.
Concaving: Enhancing Bat Maneuverability
Concaving involves removing wood from the back of the bat’s blade while keeping a thick middle and edges. This process makes the bat lighter and more maneuverable but can reduce its forgiveness and durability.
Benefits of Concaving
Lighter Weight: Makes the bat easier to handle and swing.
Better Maneuverability: Enhances control and allows for quicker adjustments.
Improved Timing: A lighter bat helps with better bat speed and timing.
Drawbacks of Concaving
Less Forgiving: Off-center strikes may not travel as far.
Potential Durability Issues: Removing wood can compromise the bat's durability.
Full Profile vs. Concaved Profile
Full Profile: Less or no concaving, heavier but more forgiving, better for power and durability.
Concaved Profile: Lighter and easier to maneuver, ideal for improving bat speed and timing.
Choosing the Right Profile
Selecting the right combination of edge, spine, and face profiles depends on your playing style and preferences.
Power Hitters: If you are a power hitter who likes to play a lot of aggressive shots, go for a bat with thick edges,a full profile, a high spine, and a flatter face. This combination will provide maximum power and forgiveness, and a large sweet spot.
Technical Players: For players who rely on timing and precision, a bat with a rounded spine, concaving and slightly curved face might be more suitable. This allows for better control, placement and maneuverability, aiding in playing a wider range of shots.
If you have a mix of aggressive and technical styles(most of us do), look for a bat with a balanced profile somewhere between the two extremes we have just described.
Have I missed anything?? Let me know in the comments below.
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