How to select the right cricket bat

Choosing the right cricket bat is a activity as it can influence on how you play and the amount of runs you score. So choosing a cricket bat carefully and pick the one that feels right for you. Choosing the correct bat demands thought and careful consideration as Batsman fall into different categories like sluggers, wrist players and others like to play down the wicket using timing. An orthodox style demands different things to an unorthodox style. Left handed players tend to play differently then right handed players.

Cricket bats are available with a wide range of features and choosing one is a very personal decision. But you should consider are a number of factors that you need to address before making your final decision to purchase a new cricket bat, such as the brand, the size, the model, the weight, bat handle technology, handle thickness and ‘pick up’ etc. There have been several theories regarding which bat is the best. But the trick is to find the right kind of weight and "pick up" of the bat.

ECB has provided a height chart to help you choose the right one for you according to your age and height. You should double check the correct size after having a bat,

Size 1..............Age 4 to 5.......Height - 4' to 4' 3".........Bat height - 27"

Size 2...............Age 6 to 7.......Height - 4' 3" to 4' 6".....Bat height - 28"

Size 3...............Age 8..............Height - 4' 6" to 4' 9".....Bat height - 29"

Size 4...............Age 9 to 10.....Height - 4' 9" to 4' 11"...Bat height - 30"

Size 5...............Age 10 to 12...Height - 4'11" to 5' 2"....Bat height - 31"

Size 6...............Age 12 to 14...Height - 5' 2" to 5' 4".....Bat height - 32"

Harrow.............Age 13 to 15....Height - 5' 4" to 5' 8".....Bat height - 33"

Short handle....Age 15+...........Height - 5' 8" to 6' 4".....Bat height - 33.5"

Long handle....Age 15+...........Height - 6' 4" +...............Bat height - 34.5"

Although the size might correlate with ages and preferences it cant compare to how the bat feels in a players hands

There are two types of Willow used when making a Cricket Bat, English Willow and Kashmir Willow. As far as the wood of bat is concerned, traditional English willow is considered superior. Before buying the bat you should see whether the weight of bat is balanced and distributed along the willow. As this helps and makes it easier for batsman to drive it elegantly.

There are different grades within each type of wood too. There are several grades of cricket bat willows available. Cricket bat willow is graded on a scale from G1+ to G4. A willow grade of G1+ is the highest grade and is used by the top professionals, it is the best willow and is unbleached with straight even grains and no markings or discolouration. It's more expensive but as always you get what you pay for!

Grade 4 (G4) willow is often non-oil and will usually have a covering on the face, such as an anti-scuff covering. It is the lowest grade of willow, and hence lowest in the price as compared to G1. You should also be careful about the knots as they shorten the life of the bat. A bat should not have any knots in the face of it, although some small knots can often be found on the back or sides.

Before buying the bat, consider the shape of the bat. The bat should be shaped something like a paddle with padded handle usually in cylindrical shape. There should be wider wooden block on one side and with a V-shaped ridge on other side to provide greater air flow in the follow through and greater strength to over-all bat. The flat side is used to hit the ball.

The costs of bats can vary enormously. Bats can be relatively cheap at around £25 but, they can also go up to £85. The good news is that an entry level player can expect a pretty decent piece of equipment for under a £100. Budgets will determine things of course but paying £250 for the perfectly weighted bat is a decent enough investment for the more serious player.

The bat should be looked after well and some key factors should be kept in mind. When placing on the ground it should always have the face pointing upwards, otherwise the bat face gets damp and it is likely to crack when hitting a Cricket Ball. But choosing, caring for and having sole use of a bat is essential for maximum enjoyment

Most of the cricket bat manufacturers use a star rating system to indicate the quality of a bat - the more stars, the better the quality of the willow and/or the level of technology of the bat. However, top of the range bats are unnecessary for most players, so consider all the before you are going to buy one for you.

Stuart Cardy is a keen sportsman and have played a variety of sports since the age of 5. Reaching County standard in some and has enjoyed a fair degree of success. He currently runs an online company, Sports Ball Shop that supplies Cricket Balls to educational institutes and Clubs offering bulk deals.