6 Tips for How to Choose a Cricket Bat That's Right for You

Using the right cricket bat makes all the difference in your game. Check some useful tips on how to choose a cricket bat so you can be at the top of your game.

Getting the perfect equipment won't make you a perfect player. However, arming yourself with the best and most reliable equipment can only serve to help improve your game and show off your skills in the best way possible.

Cricket is a technical game that oftentimes comes down to the players having the best equipment. But how do you go about choosing a cricket bat? With all the different brands and types out there, it can be overwhelming.

Let's go over 6 things that will help you learn how to choose a cricket bat that will work best for you.

1. Choose the Right Size for You

Cricket bats come in a range of sizes. You might think that a bigger bat is better, but that's not the case.

If you're a smaller player, a large bat will be more difficult to handle. The key with bat size is to match it up with your height. Look up a height-to-size chart online in order to find which size bat will be suited for you.

To give you an idea, people ranging from 5'3" to 5'5" usually use a size 6 bat while people over 6' usually use a long handle (LH) size bat.

2. Ball Type

Cricket can be played with a number of different balls: leather, tennis, foam, or rubber. The type of cricket ball you use should be taken into account when purchasing a bat.

Tennis balls are lightweight. For those playing with tennis balls, you don't need a bat that's too thick or heavy since it's such a lightweight ball.

Leather and rubber balls, however, are heavier. The best cricket bat for leather ball players is sturdier and heavier. These ball types require a thicker and sturdier bat in order to exert the same force on the ball.

3. Bat Weight

Besides length, bat weight it a crucial factor that can have a huge effect on your game. Heavier bats are more durable and can make more of an impact on the ball. The increased weight, however, can be harder for some players to handle.

This can decrease your control on the bat, or make it impossible for you to swing fast enough to actually hit the ball.

Lightweight bats are easier to handle, require less strength, and can give you a faster overall bat speed. However, some find that lighter bats deteriorate more quickly and aren't as powerful.

Depending on your strengths as a player (literally and figuratively) the weight of the bat can be a huge factor in choosing a bat. Speedy, nimble, and small? A lighter bat could be for you. Strong and powerful? Perhaps a heavier bat would be better.

4. Willow Grade Differences

Different types of cricket bats are made with a different "grade" of willow. There are two main willow distinctions: English willow and Kashmir willow. Overall, English willow is superior to Kashmir since it lasts longer, is more "springy", and more reliable.

However, English willow is more expensive. Kashmir bats are great for beginners or for those looking to get into cricket without shelling out a lot of money. We have a wide selection of cricket bats at many different price points so you can find one that works for you and your budget.

Besides willow type, there's also the grade to consider. The grades range from 1 to 5 with 1 being the best in terms of making, reliability, and quality. Grade 1 is also, understandably, the most expensive.

Consider your dedication to the game, your budget, and your skill level when picking the grade of the bat. A complete article on Imperfections of English Willow and Grade is here for you to read.

Learn about - Maintenance of English Willow Cricket Bat

5. Bat Based on Batting Style

Your particular batting style should also be taken into account when choosing a bat and don't forget to do machine knocking or hand knocking on the bat.

Drivers. If you hit mostly straight shots and hard drives, then a "low" bat is for you. These types of bats concentrate the "sweet spot" of the bat lower down, away from your hands.

This positioning and particular make of the bat will make it easier to hit the drives you're looking for. It won't make you a better driver, but it will make it feel amazing when you hit the ball right on that low spot.

Front foot batters. Players who tend to play mostly off their front foot do well with a bat where the "sweet spot" is right in the middle, also known as a "medium" positioning.

As the name implies, a medium bat is a mix between low and high bats. This is a great choice for general batters and batters who play off their front foot.

Hook shots/cuts. More fond of fancier shots like these? Are you more of a back-foot player? Then a "medium-high" or "high" bat is probably for you. This positioning of the "sweet spot" up towards your hands makes these hits easier and powerful.

These days Vintage and Retro series bats are more popular in youngsters due to lightweight and round bottom which is less prone to break.

6. Handle Type

And lastly, we have the type of handle. This is an understandably important part of the bat: without a proper or comfortable grip, you won't be able to control the bat how you need to. The handle should also absorb impact and shock from the ball so you don't feel it in your hands.

There are usually two types of handles: oval and round.

Oval handles are strong and provide you great directional control of the bat. A downside is that some people find it hard to grip. Usually, the top hand ends up with most of the control with oval handle bats.

Round handle bats make it easier to control with both the top and the bottom hand. This is important for players who flick their wrists when batting. It's also easier to get a firm grip with round handles, which is essential for power hitters.

How to Choose a Cricket Bat: Wrapping Up

What seems like a simple task can turn into an overwhelming mess. And while there are many factors to consider, all of them can have a huge effect on your game.

Hopefully, this list outlined the big factors that you should be considering when choosing a bat in a way that's easy to understand. If you have any other questions or need more help learning how to choose a cricket bat or maintenance of a cricket bat, or which cricket exercises are good for you then don't hesitate to contact us.