Cricket is a technical game where the players are required to be equipped with the best necessary equipment in the game. A cricket bat is the most essential equipment for a player. A right cricket bat assists an individual to play their natural game more comfortably. A great bat assists you to display your techniques and skills in a better manner by playing some good and classy shots. We are here with some useful and effective tips to choose the cricket bat for your best game.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Effective Tips For Right Cricket Bat
- Opting The Right Size
- Ball-Type
- Weight of the Bat
- Handle Type
- Willow Grade Differences
- Batting Style
EFFECTIVE TIPS FOR THE RIGHT CRICKET BAT
1) OPTING THE RIGHT SIZE
Cricket bats are available in the market in innumerable sizes per the players. If you are a small player, then playing with larger bats can be a tough task for you. Thus, it is necessary to pick the best bat as per your size. You may also refer to the height-to-size chart available online if you are facing difficulty selecting the right size bat for you. In case your height ranges between 5’3” to 5’5”, you may go with a size 6 bat. If you are over 6’, then you may go with a long handle (LH) size bat.
2) BALL-TYPE
Choosing the bat considering the ball type is one of the most crucial tips from the effective tips to choose a cricket bat. A variety of balls can be used to play cricket, including leather, tennis, foam, and rubber. Therefore, you should be selective before finalising the cricket bat for you.
If you have to play using tennis balls, you can go for a simple and lightweight bat to play freely. In case you have to play using leather and rubber balls, then you should be careful while choosing. For the rubber and leather balls, the bat should be thicker and sturdier in order to exert the same force on the ball.
3) WEIGHT OF THE BAT
Along with the length of the bat, its weight is also a necessary factor in order to pick the best for yourself. The heavier the bat, the more impact it will exert on the ball. On the other hand, the lighter bats are comparatively easier to handle with less strength and offer a faster overall bat speed. Depending upon your strengths, literally and figuratively, you can opt for the bat whose weight doesn’t affect your natural game.
4) HANDLE TYPE
The handle is undoubtedly the most important part of the bat. We can also refer to it as the base of the building. Thus, it should be strong and perfect for your hands. The handle of the bat should be able to absorb the impact and shock from the bat. Thus, you don’t have to feel it in your hands. The bat usually comes with two types of handles, round and oval.
The round handle bats make the control easier with both the top and the bottom hands. It also assists a firm grip with round handles. It is also important if you flick your wrists while playing the shots. Another hand, the oval handles are strong and offer great directional control of the bat. Here, the top hand ends up with most of the control.
5) WILLOW GRADE DIFFERENCES
A variety of cricket bats manufactured in the companies consists of different willow grades. The two main willow distinctions are Kashmir Willow and English Willow. Comparatively, the English willow is better than the Kashmir one because it lasts for a long time. The English willow cricket bats are more expensive. Whereas, the Kashmir bats are perfect for beginners, or for the ones who can’t invest much money.
Other than the willow distinctions, its grades matter as well. It comes in the range of 1 to 5, where one is the best and most expensive as well.
6) BATTING STYLE
Batting style is one of the most underrated, yet most effective ways to select the best cricket bat. If you prefer playing the straight shots and hard drives, then a ‘low’ bat can be a great pick. Here, the positioning and particular make of the bat will assist you to hit the ball while playing the drives. Also, you will feel pretty confident playing these shots.
The ‘medium’ positioning bats are for the individuals who prefer mostly playing off their front foot. It is a middle variety of bat between high and low. For the general batsmen and front footers, ‘medium’ cricket bats are a great choice.
The last category of bats is for the ones who love playing fancier shots in the air. If you are in this category, then you must go with ‘medium-high’ or ‘high’ bats. Even if you are a back-foot player, then it will help you a lot.
CONCLUSION
As the point already raised in the introduction, cricket is a technical game where the player should be well equipped with all the necessary equipment. If you are also going through issues or problems figuring out the best cricket bat for you, then examine all of the above six mentioned points in detail, and you are just a step away from picking the best cricket bat for yourself.