

THE COMPLETE CRICKET BAT BUYING GUIDE
HOW TO CHOOSE A CRICKET BAT
Buying the right cricket bat is essential for maximizing player enjoyment and performance regardless of your age or ability. Knowing which cricket bat to buy, however, can be challenging given the huge selection of cricket bats available. With different bat sizes, weights, materials and brands to choose from you could be forgiven for not knowing where to start.
With this in mind, we’ve created this comprehensive cricket bat buying guide to provide you with all the information you need to buy a cricket bat.
HISTORY OF CRICKET BATS
The first mention of cricket bats in print was in 1624 and since then they have undergone massive changes to get to the shape and feel of a modern-day cricket bat. The earliest cricket bats resembled the shape of a field hockey stick up until the mid-18th century, where changes to bowling laws forced bats to become ‘bottom heavy’ and roughly parallel with a maximum width of 4.25in.
The 19th century saw the introduction of overarm bowling, which forced manufacturers to make bats lighter and easier to swing. It was during this period that bats started to take on the shape that we are used to seeing today. Springs were also inserted into the bat handles at this point, to help prevent breakages and reduce the vibrations that travel through to the users’ hands when they hit the ball.
The last 30 years have seen some of the most dramatic changes to cricket bats. Manufacturers have now found ways to increase the size of bats whilst maintaining a light weight and improving the feel of striking the ball. This has contributed to modern-day cricketers hitting the ball further than ever before as the combination of size and light weight has enabled batters to generate faster hand speed and power when striking the ball. All bats nowadays must fit through a gauge to comply to MCC laws and regulations, to prevent batters from completely dominating the game.


CHOOSING A CRICKET BAT
Cricket Bat Sizes
Choosing the correct cricket bat size is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a cricket bat. Bats are available in sizes 1-6, which are the typical sizes for junior players, ‘harrow’, which is the size typically used by taller children or players in their early teens, and ‘short-handle’, which is full-size and typically used by the tallest players in their early teens and players over the age of 15.


Cricket Bat Weights
Another factor to consider is the weight of the cricket bat you buy. The ideal bat weight for you will depend on your strength, playing style and personal preference. Bat weights range from anywhere between 1lb 10oz – 2lbs 8oz for size 1-6 and harrow cricket bats, with full size adult short handle size bats typically weighing between 2lb 7oz and 2lbs 13oz. Some bats can weigh as much as 3lb, but these are only used in the professional game by very strong players that are looking to hit boundaries.


Lightweight cricket bats are considered to be bats that weigh 2lb 8oz or under. They are most suitable for junior players using size 1- 6 and harrow cricket bats as they are easier to swing. Stronger, taller junior players will also use a short-handle bat that falls between the 2lb 7oz and 2lb 8oz mark as that combination of bat size and weight will suit their height and strength. Adult players may also use a short handle bat weighing between 2lb 7oz and 2lb 8oz. These batters will like playing off the back foot or will be playing on fast bouncy pitches, so need a lighter bat get it up high enough to play horizontal-bat shots such as the cut, pull or hook.
Heavy cricket bats are classed as any bat weighing more than 2lb 10oz. Only short-handle bats will have this weight. They are typically used by strong senior players who are looking to play on the front foot and drive the ball. These bats will produce more power and won’t require as big a backswing.
Medium weight cricket bats are heavier than 2lb 8oz and lighter than 2lb 10oz. These short-handle bats are suitable for senior players looking for a happy middle and play a variety of shots off the front and back foot.
CRICKET BAT WEIGHT BY SIZE AND AGE |
Bat Size | Typical Bat Weight | Typical User Age |
1 | 1lbs 4oz - 1lbs 7oz | 4-5 years |
2 | 1lbs 7oz - 1lbs 10oz | 6-7 years |
3 | 1lbs 10oz - 1lbs 12oz | 7-9 years |
4 | 1lbs 12oz - 1lbs 15oz | 9-11 years |
5 | 1lbs 15oz - 2lbs 1oz | 10-12 years |
6 | 2lbs 1oz - 2lbs 4oz | 11-13 years |
Harrow | 2lbs 4oz - 2lbs 8oz | 13-15 years |
Short Handle | 2lbs 7oz + | 15+ years |
Why is using the correct cricket bat size important?
A cricket bat that is the perfect size and weight will optimize your batting performance. It will help you achieve the perfect combination of shot timing and hand speed in your bat swing, so you can generate the power to hit the ball to the boundary. At the same time, you will also be able to react quickly to defend fast yorkers or sharp spin.
Using a bat that is too big in size will prevent you from being able to swing the bat fully, as it will be heavier, and the handle will likely block your swing path. This will affect the timing of your shots, and you will miss the ball a lot more as you won’t be able to get your bat down to the ball in time. Ultimately, this failure could lead to a loss in motivation, especially in younger players.
A cricket bat that is the perfect size and weight will optimize your batting performance. It will help you achieve the perfect combination of shot timing and hand speed in your bat swing, so you can generate the power to hit the ball to the boundary. At the same time, you will also be able to react quickly to defend fast yorkers or sharp spin.
Using a bat that is too big in size will prevent you from being able to swing the bat fully, as it will be heavier, and the handle will likely block your swing path. This will affect the timing of your shots, and you will miss the ball a lot more as you won’t be able to get your bat down to the ball in time. Ultimately, this failure could lead to a loss in motivation, especially in younger players.


Cricket Bat Materials
Cricket bats are traditionally made from either English willow or Kashmir willow. The best quality bats are made from English willow as it is slightly softer and produces less vibrations through the hands when in contact with the ball. The sweet spot or ‘middle’ of English willow bats is larger in comparison to Kashmir willow. English willow is lightweight, yet extremely tough and durable and can withstand the impact of a hard leather cricket ball without breaking, making it the perfect choice for high level players using their bat regularly. Kashmir willow is sourced from the Kashmir region of North-West India and is more suitable for junior and amateur players who may not use their bat as often. Still lightweight and durable, Kashmir is a cost-effective alternative to English willow whilst delivering a comparable performance.
Singapore cane is the best material for bat handles. It provides enough flexibility and durability to not snap during use, whilst having excellent shock absorption to help reduce the vibrations sent through the user’s hands when striking the ball. Each bat handle is then fitted with a premium rubber grip to prevent the bat from slipping in the user’s hands. Some players like applying extra grips to their bats to thicken the handle and feel like they have more control of the bat. Ultimately, how many grips you choose to have on your bat is down to personal preference.
Some cricket bats will be made using lightweight plastic. However, these are only suitable for use in backyards, school lessons and some junior matches where wind balls or tennis balls are being used. If you try to hit a hard leather/cork cricket ball with a plastic bat, it will break very quickly. Willow cricket bats are the only type that should be used to hit a hard ball.
HOW ARE CRICKET BATS MADE?
Once the wood has been sourced, the trees are sawn down and the trunks are cut into bat-size blocks. These blocks are then split into half using a wedge and axe, before being chopped further into narrower ‘clefts’ and left to air dry to remove any moisture from the willow and keep the bat well-balanced in terms of weight.
Once fully dried, these clefts are then graded based on the number of grains, blemishes, and knots in the wood. This determines the overall quality of the bat and its retail price after manufacturing. The clefts are then cut into the approximate shape of the finished cricket bat.
The bat is then pressed through a rolling machine to create the bow shape on the face of the cricket bat and compress the willow’s fibers together to improve the structural integrity of the bat, so it can withstand multiple ball impacts.
The handles are manufactured and shaped separately before being fitted to the cricket bat. This is done by creating a V-shaped slit into the top of the bat, known as the blade. The handle is then pushed into the gap in the blade and sealed using a strong adhesive, before being clamped together and left to dry. More adhesive is then applied to the handle and a linen thread is bound to the bat handle by mounting the bat to a machine that quickly spins the bat, wrapping the thread around the entire handle up to the blade. The bat is then once again left to dry.
The final touches are then made to the shape of the bat using a sanding machine before a compound wax is applied to the bat to give it glossy appearance and finish. Once dried, a grip is fitted to the handle, the bat vendor’s stickers are placed on the face and back of the bat, and a clear, protective scuff sheet is stuck onto the face of the bat underneath the stickers.


CRICKET BAT GRADES/GRAINS
As mentioned previously, the grade of a cricket bat is determined by the number of vertical grains and whether there are any blemishes or knots on the face of the bat. Higher-grade cricket bats will have a higher quantity of vertical grains running down the face of the bat and will have less blemishes or knots present, as these negatively affect the performance of the bat. Typically, if a cricket bat has more grains, it means it is made from an older tree, and a bat with more grains will have a larger sweet spot, more elasticity, and greater durability.
Grade 1 willow is known as the highest grade of wood possible for a cricket bat, offering a high-quality performance as well as being the most aesthetically pleasing. These bats will have a minimum of 6 perfectly straight grains as well as a bat face free from any specks or blemishes. Any marks will be on the back of the bat where performance won’t be hindered. Grade 1 is the most popular choice amongst players at the top level, or anyone seeking the highest quality performance and they usually have between 6-10 grains.


There is a total of four grades possible for a piece of willow. The further away you move from grade 1 willow, the lower the cost, overall performance and number of grains Lower grade bats will also typically have more knots or blemishes. However, the performance levels of grade 2, 3 and 4 cricket bats are still comparable to that of grade 1 and offers a cheaper alternative to buyers who are on a limited budget and users who might not be planning to use their bat frequently. A grade 4 English willow bat will normally have between 3-5 grains.
CRICKET BAT HANDLES
Your choice of handle shape on your cricket bat will depend on your playing style and personal preference. Bat handles are either round in shape, an oval shape, or a semi-oval shape. Round handles are most suited to players who like playing off the back foot and are dominant with their bottom hand, as the shape allows the wrists to roll, adding power and control to pull, hook and cut shots. Oval handles are suited to top-hand dominant players who don’t want their bottom hand taking control when playing straight bat shots by preventing the bat from spinning in the hands, leaving a full bat face to strike the ball. The semi-oval handle provides the best of both other handle shapes and allows wrists to roll on back foot shots, whilst allowing the top hand to stay in control of straight bat shots.


CRICKET BAT REGULATIONS
The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) has set out strict laws regulating which cricket bats can and can’t be used in competitive matches. It is important to make sure the bat you buy conforms to these regulations to ensure you or your team don’t suffer fines and points deductions as a result of an illegal bat.


All bats that conform to the Laws of Cricket must fit through a bat gauge that has a total depth of 2.68in (6.8cm), a width of 4.33in (11cm), edges that are 1.61in (4.1cm) deep and a bat face that has a curve with a radius of 0.2in (0.5cm) measuring from the bottom of the edges to the apex of the curve. When passed through the bat gauge, the bat must have its stickers on and any other protective inserts, such as a toe guard or a scuff sheet on the bat face.
MCC laws state that the overall length of the bat, when the lower portion of the handle is inserted, shall not be more than 38in (96.52 cm).
Bats that glue together two or more pieces of wood are known as ‘laminated cricket bats’. These bats are completely illegal in competitive games. However, if small pieces of wood are glued to the blade as part of protecting or repairing the bat after a chip or a crack, then this isn’t classed as laminated.
Now that you have read our complete cricket bat guide, why not check out our full range of FORTRESS cricket bats? We carry both high-quality English Willow and Kashmir Willow cricket bats in a variety of sizes and grades that are suitable for matches at all levels. We also sell training cricket bats, double sided catching bats and backyard/beach cricket sets. Regardless of your skill level, we’ve got the cricket bat to suit all of your needs.
At Net World Sports, as well as cricket bats, we also carry other top of the range FORTRESS cricket equipment such as all the protective batting and wicketkeeping equipment you’ll need, cricket balls, stumps, batting cages, bowling machines and much more. If you’re looking to fully kit out you, your child or club with all the must-have cricket essentials, then we’ve got you covered.