Choosing your first cricket bat

Your first bat doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be the right size and a weight you can control. Get those two things right and you’ll enjoy batting more and develop better technique. Here’s what to look for.

1. Get the size right

Bat sizes are based mainly on height. This is a typical guide from UK retailer Serious Sport. Sizes vary slightly between brands, so use it as a starting point:

Size	Bat length	Batter’s height	Rough age
1	26.5in	Up to 4ft 3in	4 to 5
2	27.5in	4ft 3in to 4ft 6in	6 to 7
3	28.5in	4ft 6in to 4ft 8in	7 to 9
4	29.5in	4ft 8in to 4ft 11in	9 to 11
5	30.5in	4ft 11in to 5ft 2in	10 to 12
6	31.5in	5ft 2in to 5ft 5in	11 to 13
Harrow	32.5in	5ft 5in to 5ft 9in	13 to 15
Short handle (adult)	33.5in	5ft 9in and above	15+

Adults under about 5ft 6in may find a smaller “academy” size easier to use. A quick check: hold the bat by the middle of the handle with the toe resting on the floor beside your foot. The top of the handle should sit roughly at your wrist.

2. Choose a weight you can control

Most adult bats are sold by weight in pounds and ounces. As a beginner, pick one you can swing comfortably for a whole net session, which usually means light or medium. How heavy a bat feels when you pick it up and swing it (its “pick-up”) matters more than the number on the label, because the balance can make two bats of the same weight feel very different. If you can, try a few in a shop before buying.

3. English willow or Kashmir willow?

Cricket bats are made from willow, and there are two main types:

• English willow is softer and more fibrous. When it’s properly prepared it gives the best ball-striking feel, which is why nearly all serious club bats use it. It costs more and needs knocking in before use.
• Kashmir willow is harder and more resilient but less responsive. It’s cheaper and is common in starter bats and smaller junior sizes. It’s a sensible choice for young children, garden cricket and soft-ball or tennis-ball games.

For a junior playing hard-ball club cricket, or an adult who’s going to keep playing, an entry-level English willow bat is usually worth the extra cost.

4. Don’t overpay for the grade

English willow is graded, typically from Grade 1+ down to Grade 4 or 5. The grade is based mainly on how the willow looks, such as how straight the grain is and how many marks or blemishes there are. Higher grades cost more, but a lower-grade bat can still perform well, so a beginner doesn’t need a top-grade blade.

5. Prepare it before you play

A new English willow bat needs to be “knocked in” so the face can cope with a hard cricket ball. Without it, the bat is much more likely to crack.

1. Oil it lightly with raw linseed oil if the manufacturer recommends it. A thin coat is enough; too much oil makes the bat heavy.
2. Knock it in with a wooden bat mallet, working around the face and paying particular attention to the edges and toe. Build up the force gradually over several sessions.
3. Play gently first: use an old, soft ball in the nets before facing a new ball in a match. One UK bat specialist recommends at least 14 days of preparation before match use.
4. Protect it: a clear anti-scuff sheet on the face and a toe guard help it last longer.

Some bats are sold “pre-knocked”, but they still benefit from some extra knocking in and gentle net practice.

Quick checklist

• Right size for the player’s height, and no more than one size up for juniors
• A weight you can swing comfortably for a whole session
• Kashmir willow for young children and soft-ball cricket; English willow for hard-ball club cricket
• Don’t pay extra for looks: a lower grade is fine for a first bat
• Allow time to knock it in before the season starts