You know a new bat means you score more runs next year right? ....Right?
Well, not exactly.
But if you pick the right cricket bat to suit your playing style then you might just be in the runs next season.
You can find out what playing style you fit by taking our quiz below!!
Now you have found out what category you fit into, it is time to look at bats!
The factors we have considered- Budget and value- we have tried to cater to a range of different price points in this list.
Willow Quality- The lower the number the better. Be aware that grade 4 and 5 willow improve with use as they use younger wood, so only buy if you will use it regularly!
Sweet spot size and position- Bigger is better! The position will depend on your strengths and weaknesses as a batter, where you prefer to score and using what shots. We have provided a variety of options in this regard.
Pickup- Everyone wants their bat to be balanced as it makes it feel lighter, if you feel like a bat is too bottom-heavy try adding an extra grip or two!
Weight- Weight is classified into Light (2lb 8oz-2lb 10oz) Medium(2lb 10oz-2lb 12oz) and Heavy(2lb 12oz- 3lb)
These bats are all suited to the aggressive batter, but some may suit your style of aggression more than others.
The Aggressive Batter:
Strengths- Quick Scoring, Intimidating Presence and Powerful Shot-making.
Weaknesses- Vulnerable early on in the innings, can be susceptible to accurate bowling, especially short-pitched bowling and also to rash shot selection.
A heavier bat with a Long Handle is ideal for Strong aggressive players as the extra weight gives the ball further impetus towards and over the boundary. On the other hand, aggressive players are not all strong, many rely on quick bat speed, or pure timing to clear the ropes. We have tried to select a variety of bats to cater for all types of aggressive players.
The position of the sweet spot will depend on your preferred strokeplay, towards the bottom for front-foot players and the top for back-foot players.
Our Top Pick for the aggressive batter is the Kookaburra Big Kahuna
This Bat is used by Jos Buttler and Tom Banton, some of the most aggressive batters in the modern game. The Sweet spot on this bat is simply HUGE, and if anything is going to send the ball flying to all parts, it's this bat here. The extra weight combined with a light pickup, this bat is the perfect all-rounder, suitable for any style of attacking player which is why it is sitting pretty at the top of our list. Certainly a great cricket bat for aggressive batters.
Price: On sale right now at £225 - RRP £250.
Strengths: Huge sweet spot, Great Balance and Pickup make it easy to play all the shots in your locker (or any locker).
Weaknesses: The extra weight in the edges means the slips will be in business if you do edge it to them. This is a heavy bat, make sure you have hit the gym.
Reviewer comment: A Boundary Hitting Machine!
The Kookaburra Big Kahuna we have included here is a grade 3 English willow, high quality at a reasonable price, a fitting choice for any amateur cricketer and one of the reasons it's our number 1.
2. Our Second Pick for Aggressive Batters is the World Class Willow Orca Players Edition
This bat is as close to a professional bat as we amateurs are likely to get our hands on, and more importantly a devastating weapon in the hands of an attacking batter. This bat is Medium weight but the quality of the willow means extra weight simply isn't needed to get the ball over the ropes meaning you get greater control without losing the power. This bat's versatility and forgiveness are unrivalled meaning when you make a mistake (It happens to us all, don't worry) you're a lot more likely to get away with it.
Price: On sale now at £476.00 RRP: £595.00
Grade one willow- The best an amateur can get!
Strengths: Versatile to every style, Very Forgiving, Beautifully balanced and such a high willow grade means boundary hitting is EASY!
Weaknesses: I don't like the stickers...aaaand the price, a premium bat for a premium price. Value for money is why this bat isn't top of the list.
Reviewer Comment: Lovely sound off the bat, and effortless ball striking.
The World Class Willow Orca Players Edition we have included in the list is a Grade 1 Willow, the best a non-professional can get their hands on. However, if you want a cheaper version (£280) of this bat at a lower willow grade you can find one with the button below
3. Coming in at Number Three the Kookaburra Big Ghost.
For the front foot specialist, endorsed by Marnus Labuschagne, this bat boasts the sweetest sweet spot on our list, even at a lower grade than some other bats.
Kookaburra says this is "their most powerful bat".
A heavy-weight bat by any standards, they have shortened the blade by an inch to pack as much wood as possible into the rest of it. While this does sacrifice some control, this bat is a Six-Hitting Machine, especially off the front foot as the sweet spot is lower to provide extra forgiveness and power to the fuller deliveries.
Price: On sale at £162.00 RRP: £180.00
Grade 3 willow- Doesn't look as clean as higher grades but performs excellently for club level.
Strengths: Front foot shots, Power and 6 hitting, Forgiveness. Excellent pickup counteracts the shortened blade. Excellent value for money!
Weaknesses: Back foot shots can be difficult to execute given the weight and sweet spot position of this bat. The shortened blade can mean less control, (especially heaving over midwicket). This is a heavy bat, make sure you are capable of wielding this easily for 50 overs.
Reviewer Comment: Big bit of wood, but it goes a long way!
4. Number Four is the ADIDAS Incurza 2.0
This bat is the odd one out, of our top 5 picks, not all aggressive players rely on brute force to dispatch the ball around the ground. This is a lightweight bat with a mid-bat sweet spot, which means players who rely on bat speed and players who play off the back foot can still find value in our list. The lightweight construction and perfect balance facilitate a breathtaking amount of bat speed, and any back foot or cross-batted shots can be hit with ferocious power. While this bat is less powerful on the front foot, it gives greater control in defence while still being dominant on the back foot.
Price: On Sale for £240 RRP £400
Grade 2 willow, is also available in grade 3 (£180 down from £300), grade 4 (£150) and grade 5 (£120) below if you prefer a budget option. Be aware that grade 4 and 5 willow improve with use as they use younger wood, so only buy if you are going to use it regularly!
Strengths: Back foot and cross-batted shots, rapid bat speed means 6 hitting is inevitable. Mid-range sweet spot and lightweight construction give control in defence (which is important, even for attacking players!) and a wide range of price options.
Weaknesses: Front foot power can be more difficult to generate and control, especially when playing aggressive classical shots.
Reviewer Comment: Anything short is going the distance and it's easy to play the ramp with too.
5. This is our Budget Pick, our best bat under £150, the Gray Nicolls Shockwave 2.3 150
Endorsed by Pakistan Star Mohammad Rizwan, this bat is ideal for an aggressive player with a classical technique, someone like Barbar Azam or Virat Kohli. The middle profile sweet spot makes it easy to play around the ground, off the front and back foot, making this a very versatile bat. In terms of power, this is a lightweight bat so more suited to the innovative aggressive batter or someone who uses bat speed to find the boundary rather than using raw power.
Price: On sale at £119 RRP:£140
Grade 4 Willow
Strengths: Extra Bat Speed and suited to a player with funky shots, provides extra control off both front and back foot and is a versatile option for any aggressive club player. A Cheap Powerful Option.
Weaknesses: A lower grade of willow means it doesn't have the same power as higher-graded bats, however, it will perform well at club level regardless. Power can be difficult to generate without good hand speed.
Reviewer Comment: For 140 quid the pickup and middle are lovely, not quite as nice as the others though!
We hope you have found our best bats for aggressive batters post helpful, please let us know what else you want to see from us in the contact section below.