Advice to purchase a bat.

For Christmas parents like to give gifts relating to sports to their children. As I am a Cricket
Coach, some parents think about a cricket bat as a Christmas gift and ask me about bats. They
want to buy best bat which is not too expensive.

They want help to choose bat because Cricket bats come in 9 different sizes and 2 types. There
are more than 30 manufactures who are offering at least 6 ranges per bat. So in total we have to
choose from 3000 bats but if correct estimation is given, the size required can reduce the choice
amount to 360 bats to pick from. We need to refer to ECB guideline on bat sizing to decide what
the correct size is.

ECB guideline on bat sizing:

Size 1, for the age of 4 to 5, with the height of 4' to 4' 3" and the Bat height is 27"

Size 2, for the age of 6 to 7 with the height of 4' 3" to 4' 6" and the Bat height is 28"

Size 3, for the age of 8 with the height of 4' 6" to 4' 9" and the Bat height is 29"

Size 4, for the age of 9 to 10 with the height of 4' 9" to 4' 11" and the Bat height is 30"

Size 5, for the age of 10 to 12 with the height of 4'11" to 5' 2" and the Bat height is 31"

Size 6, for the age of 12 to 14 with the height of 5' 2" to 5' 4" and the Bat height is 32"

Harrow, for the age of 13 to 15 with the height of 5' 4" to 5' 8" and the Bat height is 33"

Short Handle, for the ages 15+ with the height of 5' 8" to 6' 4" and the Bat height is 33.5"

Long Handle, for the ages 15+ with the height of 6' 4" + and the Bat height is 34.5"

This guide may look complicated but it is not. Check the height and age of the child to see if a
certain bat is for you. After measuring which bat is suitable now the problem is the quality of the
willow. There are two types of willow English willow and Kashmir willow bats are made from.
English willow is better in quality and slow growing there are different grades available too so that
complicates things a bit but this shouldn't be a problem at junior level.

My recommendation for all under 11 years of age is that you buy Kashmir willow bat. Do not

waste £70 on a junior cricket bat for club player as they grow at such speed, but a bat around
£30 is good for club player and it will last at least a year. Soft ball or hard ball is used by under 11
and players don’t usually have strength at this age to break a Kashmir bat.

The bat quality depends on what type of retailer and the brand location from where you buy. If
the shop deals in only cricket, than there are good chances that you will get wider choice than
other sports stores and you can also get better advice from the specialists. You can also find
retailers online providing good choice and advice.

If you are looking for branded bats, the price is almost the same. Some times you have to look at how much manufacturer has spent on making and sponsoring players to use their bat if you
are looking to buy a senior grade cricket bat. We recommend Kookaburra or Willostix bats as
major branded bats for kids. After purchasing the bat make sure that you read the manufacturer’s
instructions before use. Some times bat requires knocking with an old cricket ball or oiling with
linseed oil.

Hope you get a good purchase with my advice.