Cricket Bat Grips and Bat Protection Buying Guide
by The team at Western Sports Centre, Derrimut on Nov 05, 2026A new grip and a few simple add-ons can make your bat feel better and last a lot longer. Replace your grip when it gets slippery, thin or torn. Protect a new English willow bat with an anti-scuff sheet on the face and a toe guard on the bottom, and carry it in a cover. Most of these are cheap, quick to fit, and save you from bigger repairs later.
We stock bat grips and bat protection from Kookaburra, Gray-Nicolls, SS, MRF, New Balance and more at Western Sports Centre in Derrimut. Here's what to look for.
Quick picks
| If you need… | Look at |
|---|---|
| A new grip | Kookaburra Chevron, Kookaburra Scale or SS Player Grips (3 Pack) |
| Extra grip and feel | Kookaburra Octopus or Kookaburra Vertex |
| A junior grip | Kookaburra Junior Chevron or Gray-Nicolls Matrix Plus Junior |
| To fit a grip yourself | Gray-Nicolls Gripping Cone and Gray-Nicolls Grip Tape |
| An anti-scuff sheet | Kookaburra Xtra Tec, Gray-Nicolls Extratec or SS Antiscuff Sheet |
| A toe guard | SS Toe Guard Kit or Gray-Nicolls Toe Shield |
| A bat cover | Gray-Nicolls Full Length Padded or Kookaburra Pro Players |
See our full range of bat grips and cricket accessories for current stock.
Choosing a bat grip
When should I replace my grip?
Replace your grip when it feels slippery, has gone thin or shiny, or has started to tear. A worn grip makes the bat twist in your hands and puts more strain on your wrists. Regular players often change their grip every season.
Which pattern?
Grips come in different surface patterns, and it's mostly personal feel:
- Chevron and zig zag grips have raised ridges that give a firm, secure hold, like the Kookaburra Chevron or Kookaburra Zig Zag.
- Scale and grid grips have a textured, all-over pattern, like the Kookaburra Scale or Kookaburra Grid.
- Octopus grips have tiny suction cups for extra tack, popular with players who sweat a lot. Try the Kookaburra Octopus.
- Smoother, softer grips give more cushioning, like the Gray-Nicolls Sofitel.
Thick or thin?
A thicker grip, or two grips on top of each other, adds cushioning and suits players with bigger hands. It also adds weight to the handle, which can make the bat feel a little lighter to pick up. Players with smaller hands usually prefer one thin grip. Junior bats have thinner handles, so use a junior grip on them.
How to fit a new grip
- Remove the old grip by cutting it off carefully, without cutting the handle.
- Roll the new grip onto a gripping cone.
- Put the cone over the top of the handle and roll the grip off the cone onto the handle, smoothing it down as you go.
- Make sure the grip sits straight with no twists or air bubbles.
- Finish the bottom of the grip with grip tape so it doesn't roll up.
Not keen to do it yourself? Bring your bat in and we can help.
Protecting your bat
Anti-scuff sheets
An anti-scuff sheet is a clear protective film stuck to the face of the bat. It helps protect the face from surface cracks, stops moisture getting in, and keeps the bat looking newer for longer. Fit it after your bat has been knocked in, on a clean, dry face.
- Clear sheets: Kookaburra Xtra Tec, Kookaburra ArmourTec, Gray-Nicolls Extratec or SS Antiscuff Sheet.
- Fibreglass facing for extra strength: Gray-Nicolls Fibretec Facing.
Toe guards
The toe of the bat soaks up moisture and gets damaged from tapping it on hard ground. A toe guard seals and protects it. Choose a stick-on guard like the SS Toe Guard Kit or Gray-Nicolls Toe Shield, or a rubber coating like Gray-Nicolls Toe Goo.
Edge and repair tape
Fibreglass tape strengthens edges and holds small cracks together. Try the Gray-Nicolls Fibretec Tape Roll or SS Side Tape Roll. For bigger damage, see our bat repair service.
Bat covers
A bat cover protects your bat from knocks in your kit bag and keeps it dry. Full-length padded covers, like the Gray-Nicolls Full Length Padded, cover the whole bat. Blade covers, like the Kookaburra Pro 2.0, cover just the blade.
Knocking in and oiling
New English willow bats need knocking in before they face a leather ball. You'll need a bat mallet and some bat oil, or an all-in-one kit like the SS Maximus Bat Care Kit. Read our cricket bat care guide for step-by-step instructions, or let us do it with our bat knocking service.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I change my grip?
Whenever it feels slippery or starts to tear. For regular club players, that's usually at least once a season.
Should I put an anti-scuff sheet on a new bat?
Yes, once it's been knocked in. It's one of the cheapest ways to help your bat last longer.
Can I use a senior grip on a junior bat?
It will usually be too loose and bulky. Use a junior grip on junior bats.
Does a toe guard affect the bat?
It adds a tiny amount of weight at the bottom, which most players don't notice. The protection is well worth it.
Need a hand?
Come into Western Sports Centre in Derrimut and we'll help you choose and fit a grip or protection for your bat. Or shop bat grips online. Buying a new bat? Read our cricket bat buying guide.
