Complete Guide to Choosing a Cricket Bat

A bat that suits you feels balanced in your hands and lets you play your natural shots.

Size and weight

Stand the bat beside your leg: the top of the handle should reach your hip. Pick a weight you can control through a full innings, not the heaviest you can lift.

Willow

English willow is lighter and has more give; Kashmir willow is harder and more affordable. Both need knocking in before use.

Sweet spot

A low sweet spot suits players who drive off the front foot on slower pitches; a mid to high one suits back-foot play and bouncier pitches.