How to choose the best Bats using Cricket Bats Size Guide?
Choosing a cricket bat is a difficult step as many factors can affect your performance. This is why it is essential to pick the right bat that fits your needs perfectly. A lot of people do not give much preference to cricket bat size guides not knowing that they directly impact their game. This blog will act as a guide, helping you to choose the right bat. Read till the end to find all the factors you need to take care of while choosing your next bat.
How many types of cricket bats are there?
When looking for a bat you may find a variety of different equipment. But how can you identify the bat that suits you the best? Bats are divided into different categories, each having a distinct feature. Thus, understanding the different types of bats is very important. The following is a list of the common categories of bats you would encounter:
English Willow Bats
English willow bats are made from willow that is native to England. These bats offer the highest quality and tend to be a bit on the pricier side. Known for their excellent quality, these are the choice of most international players. English willow cricket bats usually come in five grades from 1 to 5. Grade 1 bats are the highest in quality and they have the straightest grains of all the 5 grades. English willow bats are easily distinguishable due to their white color. They also have a higher density of grains compared to other bats.
Kashmir Willow Bats
Contrary to popular belief Kashmir willow cricket bats are not the same as English willow bats. These bats are made from willow that is found in the Kashmir region of India. They are durable and much affordable which makes them a suitable choice for casual players as well as beginners. With a darker shade compared to English willow bats, they are known for their toughness. This makes them a great contender for players who love to hit powerful shots.
Soft Ball Bats
Made to cater to the needs of non-professional players, softball bats are used to play with tennis balls or softballs. These bats are usually used for everyday domestic cricket and offer excellent durability. You can easily spot such bats in tape ball cricket matches.
Technique Bats
Technique bats are not used in professional matches rather they serve a unique purpose. These bats are used by players in training sessions and they have slimmer blades compared to other bats. The sole purpose of this is to improve the hand-eye coordination of the player. With a blade of just 6cm, these cricket bats help players improve their technique by hitting the ball in the center.
What common factors can affect your cricket performance?
Many factors influence the performance of a cricket batsman. By mastering all of these factors you can ensure a deadly performance. Some of the common factors are as follows:
Weight of the bat
The weight of the cricket bat is a major contributing factor to your performance. A heavy bat helps deliver powerful shots with ease. Whereas a light bat provides greater control. However, you should always get a bat that you are comfortable handling. If you wish to choose a heavy bat, it would be best to get good practice to get used to it.
Handle of the bat
Having a firm handle with a great grip is what helps players hit confident shots. Always ensure that your handle is firm yet comfortable in order to get the most out of your bat.
Bat grains
A lower grain count indicates higher durability. However, that can result in a slower break-in period. Higher grain bats on the other hand wear out faster but they provide a much better stroke play.
Bat quality
Bat quality is undoubtedly one of the most crucial factors that impact a player’s performance. Identifying your needs is crucial to choose a bat that perfectly compliments your game.
What is a cricket bat size guide? Why is it important?
Choosing the right size bat is one of the most important steps when buying a cricket bat. You can make an accurate selection with the help of a cricket bat size guide. Bats come in different sizes to cater to a wide range of people based on their height. The bats can be divided into two major categories i.e., Junior and Senior. They are further classified into sub-categories which help address specific age and height groups.
1. Junior Cricket Bats
Junior cricket bats are divided into 7 sub-categories which range from 0 to 6.
- Size 0 bats are the smallest in size and are suitable for kids aged 4 and below. They are most effective for players that are under 4 feet.
- Size 1 bats are four kids that range from 4 to 5 years. The ideal height of the players is up to 4 feet 3 inches.
- Size 2 bats are ideal for children ranging from 6 to 7 years. Players having a height from 4 foot 4 inches to 4 foot 4 foot 6 inches would be most suited for this bat.
- Size 3 bats are made for kids that are about 8 years old and have a height up to 4 foot 9 inches.
- Size 4 bats are generally suited for children up to 4 foot 11 inches tall and have an age of up to 10 years.
- Size 5 bats are fit for use by children up to 5 feet 2 inches in height.
- Size 6 bats are generally used by children up to 5 foot 4 inches tall.
2. Senior Cricket Bats
Similar to junior bats, senior cricket bats also come in varying sizes. They are categorized as follows:
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Harrow
This is the shortest bat in the senior category. These bats are catered to individuals that range from 5 foot 4 inches to 5 foot 8 inches in height. Harrow bats are usually lighter than full-sized bats. This allows the players to properly control and balance the bat ensuring a stronger bat grip. They are a great choice for young players transitioning into adulthood. Despite their lightweight nature, they are quite powerful. This allows the players to easily carry out their game with sufficient power.
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Small men
Small men cricket bats are suitable for players ranging from 5 foot 7 inches to 5 foot 9 inches. These are a bit bigger than harrow cricket bats and cater to a wider audience. Despite their bigger size, they are quite easy to handle. This allows the players to play longer innings with ease without any fatigue or discomfort. Small men cricket bats are suitable for players who like to play quickly and with precision.
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Short Handle
Short-handle bats are suitable for both teen and adult players as they are suitable for players ranging from 5 feet 5 inches to 6 feet. These bats are beautifully balanced for their players and are the go-to bat for professional players on various international cricket formats e.g. T20. These bats allow the players to showcase their power by hitting the ball aggressively with great precision. Short-handle bats are undoubtedly the most sought-after bats in the world.
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Long Handle
This is an uncommon size of the bat as the majority of players fall under the short handle category. However, long-handle cricket bats cater to players above 6 feet. Since these bats are made to cater to taller players, they help provide them with greater comfort. The longer handle allows them to precisely provide bigger hits.
It is important to note that as the category of the bat changes, there are physical changes in the size of the bat blade instead of long-handle and short-handle bats that have the same size blades. Use this cricket bat size guide to find the right-sized bat for yourself.
Why choose Crikon?
Crikon is a premium cricket gear company that has only the best products available. Our bats are made from the finest English willow which provides much higher performance to its players. We use premium-quality bat grips which also complement the players in the best way possible.
At Crikon we have cricket bats for all sizes of cricket players. Whether you are a beginner, an amateur, or a professional, we have a complete range of products to choose from. Our products include but are not limited to bats, gloves, etc. So look no further. Place an order today and further your cricket journey with our fine cricket equipment.