Choosing a new cricket bat can prove to be a challenging exercise for most cricketers. You may get different advice from your coach, parent, teammate, friend, or retailer which can make buying confusing.
Different grades and sizes can lead you into a maze of conflicting information depending on who you listen to. I will try to clear it up for you and mention some points that need to be considered while choosing your cricket bat.
The most important thing to remember when choosing a cricket bat is that it is a very personal decision and should not be based on what works for others. It should be what is best for you and your playing ability, bowling, game improvement, strength, and if required budget.
There is no right or wrong bat to a point, the bat to choose is the one that feels most comfortable to you and that is the main point. It should be right for your sport and should be the main factor in your purchasing decision.
We notice online through social media or in-store that many cricketers are attracted by the look of stickers (we call them decals) and this may not necessarily result in the right purchase. We agree a bat should look good visually however bat shape, pickup, willow, bat finish, reputation, size, handle shape and bat preparation are also very important factors to name a few.
Let’s consider them and help you reach an informed decision;
Bat size
When choosing your cricket bat it is important to consider the size of the bat and how it suits your game. Mv Sports creates a blade shape for every type of batter. A low sweet spot for the front foot player, a mid-sweet spot for the all-around shot maker, and a high sweet spot for strong foot play.
Consider the following;
See where you hit the ball most on your current bat and then match that position to the bats you are considering buying. Does the sweet spot match your hitting area? Do you hit most of the ball on your current bat where there is the most swelling on the blade? This should be for maximum performance.
Consider your batting strengths – choose a size that suits your playing style.
Consider the wickets you play on – whether the bounce is low or high. Optimized for low driving and high bounce for back foot play. Maybe, you are good at both which gives you many size options.
Look at the bat dimensions of each model you are considering and compare including volume. The volume can be a surprise for some bats.
Visual Size Appeal – Some bat sizes are more appealing to the eye. This can be very important to a player’s confidence and should be a priority when choosing a bat.
Pick Up
The pickup of the bat is the way the weight is distributed through the bat. If it is balanced the pickup will be lighter than the actual weight and this is a key part of making a good bat.
The pick-up is how it feels to you and not the scale weight as it varies and is not always an accurate indication of what is best for the player. English Willow grade
Choosing a grade of English willow is not a perfect science. No two branches of willow are alike, even from the same tree. However, This gives MV Sports the confidence to display each grade of willow and the subtle but significant differences between them.
Higher grades of English willow cricket bat have historically performed better than lower grades and are rarer so there is a price difference across a bat range.
Most blades in the willow crop will be grade 3 or 4 and grade 1 has become very rare in recent seasons.
Higher grades of willow don’t necessarily equate to greater durability, just better performance overall.
Choose a piece of willow that meets your needs and meets the grade quality promised by the bat manufacturer.
Bat ends
Not all bats are the same, check the specifications of the bats you are considering and the care provided by the manufacturer.
Check out the bat decals, are they high quality that reflect your needs off the bat? Will they last or deteriorate quickly?
Brands
Not all brands are the same, bat manufacturers with a long cricket heritage have significant bat manufacturing experience and should be considered when choosing your bat. Without experience, it is difficult to become an expert in your field.
Most companies do not make their own bats and lose some control over the manufacturing process. It’s all in the details.
For a consistent bat, you can rely on, know that Retro Cricket Bats Manufacturing’s history and investment in their own bat manufacturing facility help consistently produce the best cricket bats.
The size of the bat
Particularly important for young players, attention needs to be paid to bat size and the ability to maximize bat speed and power.
Choose the size bat that will help you be the best player you can be – too much and you’ll struggle with bat control the longer you’re at the crease. Too light and you’ll feel the power and feel – find a compromise when making your final decision.
If necessary refer to the bat size chart online or at your local cricket retailer.
Bat Law
Bat Dimensions – The MCC has updated Law 5 which sets a maximum in bat blade dimensions. Here is an understanding of the law. Make sure your bat fits these laws.
5.7.1 The overall length of the bat, when the bottom of the handle is inserted, must not exceed 38 inches/96.52 cm.
5.7.2 The bat blade shall not exceed the following dimensions:
Width: 4.25in / 10.8 cm / 108 mm
Depth: 2.64in / 6.7 cm / 67 mm
Edge: 1.56in / 4.0cm / 40mm
In addition, it must be able to pass through a bat gauge.
5.7.3 Except for bats of size 6 and under, the handle shall not exceed 52% of the overall length of the bat.
5.7.4 The thickness of the material provided for covering the blade in 5.4.1 shall not exceed 0.04 in./0.1 cm.
5.7.5 The maximum allowable thickness of material deposited on the toe of the blade is 0.12 inches/0.3 cm.
Handle quality
It’s not all about the blade, bat handles are not all the same. The construction of your bat handle should be considered in relation to the quality of the willow you are purchasing.
Is your Grade 1 bat fitted with a high-quality, treble spring multi-piece cane handle or has the manufacturer reduced this feature to the bat? Compare the handles of the bats you are considering – this may change your decision.
The weight of the bat
While choosing a bat we believe other factors are more important. Dead weight is just a measurement and does not necessarily reflect the same performance and feel for every bat.
Lower sweet spot bats ‘feel heavier’ and higher sweet spot bats lift ‘lighter’ despite being the same weight. That’s why ‘pick up’ is so important.
By defining your choice in a bat by weight you limit yourself to finding the best bat for you. Our advice, keep an open mind when considering weight and allow yourself a ‘weight window’ when making a purchase decision.
Bat tapping
Tapping the bat with a bat mallet or ball is sometimes used to demonstrate how the bat will perform. It is used as a method for a cricketer to distinguish one bat from another when choosing a bat. As far as those who use this method are concerned it is only ‘acoustics’, which travels faster than sound can feel. The sound of the bat, when struck with a wooden bat versus the ball, is different, so be aware that the sound of the bat or ‘ping’ as it is called, is purely an opinion on which is the best choice. What is the bat and not the measure? Performance Just because a bat sounds powerful to the ear doesn’t mean it really is, nor does a bat that sounds bad to the ear, not a great playing bat. If you believe in this process that’s fine but I wouldn’t base my decision on this method as other factors in the details are just as important.
Bat preparation
Bat preparation is another topic that we will expand on in another post but is still a very important part of choosing a bat that needs to be considered.
How this is done can be the difference between a good-performing bat and a poor result.
If a bat has had some preparation I would seriously consider it, factory prepared bats have the best chance of longevity as they are designed by cricket bat experts. Be careful when swinging a bat through a machine – consider the number of hits quoted very carefully and question why there are so many.
Good luck on your bat selection journey, there are many factors to consider. Choose wisely.
