Cricket Bat Buying Guide: Size, Weight, Willow and Fit

The right cricket bat is the one you can swing comfortably, in the right size, made for the ball you play with. Get the size and weight right first, then choose between English and Kashmir willow, then pick a shape that suits how you bat. The brand and grade matter less than how the bat feels in your hands.

We sell and prepare cricket bats at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut, from first junior bats to players-grade English willow. This guide covers what we talk through with customers in store: size, weight, willow, sweet spot, getting a bat ready to play, and how to check a bat before you buy it.

Quick picks

Bat models change through the season. Click through to see what's in stock and current prices, or give us a call.

What size cricket bat do I need?

Most adults use a Short Handle (SH) bat. Very tall players sometimes prefer a Long Handle or Long Blade. For juniors, size goes mainly by height. This chart is a starting point:

Some brands also make Youth or Small Adult sizes for teenagers who are between Harrow and full size. A quick check: stand the bat upright beside your leg, and the top of the handle should come to about the top of your thigh. If a child is between sizes, go smaller. A bat that's too big or heavy wrecks technique.

How heavy should my bat be?

Bat weights are usually written in pounds and ounces, so 2'9 means 2 pounds 9 ounces (about 1.16 kg). As a rough guide for adult bats:

• Light: about 2'7 to 2'8
• Medium: about 2'9 to 2'10
• Heavy: about 2'11 and up

Choose the heaviest bat you can swing comfortably for a whole innings, not the heaviest one you can lift. If you're late on the ball or your shots feel slow, the bat is too heavy.

The number on the label isn't the whole story. Two bats of the same weight can feel quite different, because one may carry more of its weight near the handle. That's what people mean by "pickup": how light the bat feels when you lift it into your backlift. A bat with a good pickup feels lighter than it is.

English willow or Kashmir willow?

English willow is lighter, hits harder and gives that satisfying "ping" off the middle. It's what almost all club, school and senior hard-ball cricketers use. It needs preparing before use (see below) and costs more.

Kashmir willow is denser and heavier, but tough and much more affordable. It's a sensible first bat for young children, beginners and players who only play socially. Kashmir willow bats can be used with leather balls, but they won't feel as lively as English willow.

Composite and plastic bats are for tennis-ball and soft-ball cricket only. Never use them with a leather ball.

What do willow grades mean?

English willow is graded mostly on how it looks: straight, evenly spaced grains and few marks or blemishes earn a higher grade (Grade 1 is the top, Grade 5 the most basic). Grade affects price more than performance. A well-made Grade 3 bat that suits you will play better than a Grade 1 bat that's too heavy. Small knots or marks on the face are usually cosmetic.

Which sweet spot suits me?

The sweet spot (also called the "middle") is the part of the blade that hits the ball best. Its position changes how a bat plays:

• Low sweet spot: suits front-foot players who drive a lot, and slower, lower-bouncing pitches.
• Mid sweet spot: an all-round choice that suits most players.
• High sweet spot: suits back-foot players who cut and pull, and bouncier pitches like many in Australia.

If you're not sure, choose a mid sweet spot. Bigger edges make a bat more forgiving on mis-hits, but they also add weight, so don't chase big edges at the expense of a comfortable pickup.

Round or oval handle?

Round handles let your hands turn more freely, which some attacking players like. Oval and semi-oval handles make it easier to keep the bat face straight. Most bats now come with an oval or semi-oval handle. You can also change how the handle feels with a thicker or thinner bat grip.

Getting a new bat ready to play

A new English willow bat needs to be "knocked in" before you face a leather ball. Knocking in means tapping the face and edges with a bat mallet for several hours to harden and compress the wood. Skip it and the bat can crack early.

You have three options:

1. Do it yourself with a bat mallet and some patience. Our cricket bat care guide explains oiling, knocking in and protecting your bat step by step.
2. Buy a Play Now bat. Our Play Now bats come pressed, oiled, knocked in and protected, so you can take them straight to the crease.
3. Let us do it. Many of our bats include our free Match Ready service, where we prepare the bat for you.

Even a prepared bat should have a gentle first net session with older balls before match day. Kashmir willow bats need little or no knocking in, and composite bats need none.

How to check a bat before you buy it

• Do some shadow shots in your normal stance. Play a drive, a pull and a defensive shot. The bat should feel balanced, not heavy in your hands or wrists.
• Check the length. Stood upright beside your leg, the top of the handle should come to about the top of your thigh.
• Look along the edges and toe for cracks or dents, and check the handle sits straight in the blade.
• Tap the face with a ball or mallet. A lively bat usually gives a clear "ping".
• Don't judge by grains alone. Straight grains look great, but they don't guarantee how a bat plays. Pickup and feel matter more.

This is the best reason to buy your bat in person. If you can, come to our Derrimut store and pick up a few bats side by side. You'll feel the difference straight away.

The brands we stock

We stock well over 100 cricket bats, from first junior bats to players-grade English willow.

• Gray-Nicolls: our largest range, including Australian-made bats and many Play Now models that come ready to use.
• SS: a wide range from the Master and Gladiator up to the Ton and Vintage players-grade bats.
• Kookaburra: the Kahuna, Ghost, Prism and Aura ranges, in adult and junior sizes.
• MRF: from the value Bullet to the Genius Grand. Read our MRF cricket bat buying guide for model-by-model advice.
• New Balance, Gunn & Moore, SG and DSC round out the range.

Looking after your bat

• Keep it out of heat and damp. Don't leave it in a hot car or a wet kit bag. Let a wet bat dry naturally.
• Use an anti-scuff sheet and toe guard to protect the face and the toe, which take the most damage.
• Check it regularly for cracks, especially on the edges and toe. Small surface cracks are normal; deep or spreading ones need repair.
• Get it repaired early. We offer bat repairs, including re-handling and sanding.

For full step-by-step care, read our guide to protecting and maintaining your cricket bat.

Frequently asked questions

What size bat should a 10-year-old use?

Usually a size 5 or 6, depending on their height (see the size chart above). If they're between sizes, go smaller. A bat that's too long or heavy makes it hard to learn good technique.

Is a heavier bat better?

No. A heavier bat only helps if you can swing it quickly and comfortably for a whole innings. Most club players hit better with a medium-weight bat that has a good pickup.

Do I need to knock in a new bat?

Yes, if it's English willow and you'll use it with a leather ball, unless it's sold as Play Now or ready to play. Kashmir willow bats need little or no knocking in, and composite bats need none.

Is Grade 1 willow worth it?

For serious club players who want the best, it can be. But grade mostly reflects how the willow looks. A lower-grade bat with the right size, weight and pickup will often suit you better.

Can I use my English willow bat with a tennis ball?

Yes. Tennis balls won't damage a willow bat. It's the other way round you need to watch: plastic and composite bats must never be used with a leather ball.

Should I buy a cricket bat online or in store?

If you know exactly what you like, online is easy. For a first bat, a new size or an upgrade, come in and pick a few up. Feel is personal, and two bats of the same model can play differently.

Need a hand choosing?

Visit us at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut to pick up bats from every brand above, or shop all cricket bats online. If you need shoes too, read our cricket shoes buying guide.