Playing Cricket For The First Time: Buying A Cricket Bat

If you are thinking about playing cricket, one of the first things you will need to do is buy a cricket bat. This post reveals everything you need to know about doing so.

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What material are cricket bats made from? Bats are usually made from willow. However, there are two main types of willow, these are as follows, English willow and Kashmir willow. If you are going to take cricket seriously it is always recommended that you go for a bat that has been made from English willow. You will benefit from much higher levels of quality. Kashmir willow is popular since it is cheap. However, it will hold you back in terms of performance, and thus this is something you definitely need to bear in mind.

How much should I pay for a cricket bat? You will be shocked to discover just how much bats differentiate in terms of price. You can find a bat for as much as £400 or one for as little as £20. How much should you pay? Well, this all depends on you, what’s your budget? There is no wrong or right answer in terms of price! However, make sure the bat is of a high quality first. Don’t merely purchase it because it is the cheapest one you have found.

What brands are the best to purchase bats from? Buying from a high-quality brand is always recommended since you are likely to benefit from a top standard product. In the world of cricket, there are several brands that have a huge reputation in the industry. Brands you should consider buying a cricket bat from include the likes of Adidas, Gunn & Moore, Gray Nicolls, Puma, Kookaburra, Slazenger, and Dukes.

Will my choice of cricket bat affect my performance? Yes! Your choice of cricket bat will definitely influence your performance. We have already spoken about how your choice of material will have an impact. Aside from this, if the bat you buy is too heavy, you will struggle to swing it with ease.

On the other hand, if it is too light you will not be able to generate a lot of power. Moreover, you need to make sure the cricket bat is the right size for you; otherwise, you will struggle to use it comfortably.

What should you consider when buying a cricket bat?

Size - It is so vital to make sure the cricket bat you purchase is the right size for you. If you take a look on the Internet you will find a lot of professional guides for you to take advantage of. Nevertheless, your main decision lies within determining whether to go for a long handle bat (LH) or a short handle bat (SH).

Most people go for the latter since these are designed for individuals that are shorter than 6 ft. 4. If you are a parent that is buying a cricket bat for your child you will probably find the ECB guideline extremely beneficial, which can easily be found on the web.

Weight - The next thing you must consider is the weight of the bat. There is no right or wrong weight; it is all about finding what works for you. You have to strike a balance.

If your bat is too light you are going to fail to generate the power that is necessary to strike the ball well. However, if the bat is too heavy, you will find it hard to swing it effectively and thus your game will be hampered in this way.

Material - Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, it is also important to think about the material of the bat. This is something we discussed earlier: if you want to play sport and take it seriously it is certainly advised to go for a bat made from English willow.

How do I look after my cricket bat? You need to look after your bat if you want to get the most out of it and ensure it lasts you for a long time. There are several ways to maintain your cricket bat. Applying linseed oil is a popular option, as this softens the fibres of the bat and then knits them together. As a result, the bat will become more supply and be able to withstand a cricket ball hitting it at a high speed. It is also advisable to store the bat horizontally in a dry and cool place.