Cricket Bat I Types & Sizes Of Cricket Bats I Cricketfile

Cricket bat

Cricket is the most renowned and celebrated sport across the world. People watch it with utmost zeal, fervour, and enthusiasm. A cricket bat is an essential accessory in this game. Although all the bats used in cricket look the same, they have certain varieties.

The variation in cricket bats is based on wood, size, and the material integrated into forming them. The four distinguished kinds of cricket bats are as follows-

• English willow cricket bat

English willow bats are those which have refined grains in the wood. They are pretty soft and light. English willow bats also withstand the time shocks as they are composed of phenomenal quality wood.

• Kashmir willow cricket bat

Kashmir willow is the most pivotal kind of bat available in the cricket equipment arena. A prominent factory of Kashmir produces furnished bats comprising excellent wood from Kashmir. These bats are very hard in nature but light in weight. They can bear the test of times quite effortlessly. Kashmir willow bats are also tough and scratch-resistant.

• Poplar willow cricket bat

Poplar cricket bats are those which contain poplar wood material in their composition. The poplar wood is very soft, and it is not as concrete as Kashmir or English willow wood. This type of bat is generally used by kids so that they don’t get hurt while playing. The beginners also initiate learning the batting with poplar bats only.

• Training bats

Training bats are those which are solely made for training sessions of cricket and not for professional purposes. The most notable part about training cricket bats is that they are not specific about the wood material. Both English or Kashmir willow is used in their composition.

Types Of Cricket Bats

1. Kookaburra
2. Grey Nicholls
3. GM
4. SG
5. MRF
6. Ceat
7. Spartan
8. SS
9. Reebok
10. Nike
11. BAS
12. New Balance
13. PUMA

Sizes of Cricket Bat

• Laws of Cricket (Bat Size)

Before we discuss the sizes of cricket bat that are commonly available in the market and online, we should talk about what the laws of cricket have to say about the subject.

In matches, umpires are given gauges to check if these specifications. There are finer details too related to this which can be found in the 5.1 section of the laws of cricket.

• Bat Size Chart

The sizes in this table have been calibrated as per the age and height of the individual. Weight too will vary with the same. If you are looking to buy a bat for your kid, then make sure that it is something that he or she is comfortable with.

Largest Cricket Bat

Incidentally, the largest cricket bat in the world is Chennai. Take a look at its dimensions before we proceed to discuss things in detail.

Another great thing about this bat is that it was unveiled by Kapil Dev in June 2019. For those who don’t know, Kapil Dev was the captain when the Indian cricket team won the 1983 cricket World Cup.

How to choose a cricket bat?

Cricket is a prominent game across the world. A cricket bat is the main piece of equipment used in the game. No matter whether the bat is required for professional matches or domestic usage, it should be perfect. Following are the few parameters which help in choosing an excellent bat-

• Size of cricket bat

The foremost point you must keep in mind before purchasing the cricket bat is to look at its size. Bats are available in diverse sizes ranging from short, medium, to long heightened ones. Go with the size which will bestow you a good grip and will enhance your batting skills.

• Handle’s shape

The second factor in introspecting is the bat’s handle size. Choose the handle which will impart you reasonable control over the bat. Select the shape of the handle in bat by keeping your holding techniques in a note.

• Grains of bat

One of the most critical factors to look at while choosing the bat is grains on the bat. The grains are the representation of the tree’s age from which the bat is carved. The older the age, the more refined will be the wood. Thus, coaches recommend the batsman to go with the bats with a good number of grains.

• Quality of willow

The following pivotal point to note while choosing the cricket bat is looking for the quality of willow. There are English and Kashmir willows available in bats. Select the one which will be long-lasting and effective for your batting strategies.

• Budget

The last but not the latest factor is to look at the budget. Pick a few brands which will be perfect as per your budget. Grab the most affordable and convenient one from the laid list.

 Unravel all these prominent factors while choosing the bat to get the best one.

How to hold a cricket bat?

Holding a cricket bat correctly plays a vital role in enhancing the game. If the batsman has a perfect grip over the bat, then he can perform with more magnificence. Cricketers integrate a wide variety of techniques to hold a bat with perfection. So, that they can attempt a variety of shots with sheer precision and explicitness. Following are the two well-known techniques of holding a bat correctly-

• V technique

V technique is a prominent method of holding the bat. For holding the bat in this technique:

1. Place the bat on the ground with its face downwards.
2. Make a V shape using your thumb and forefinger.
3. Create a V illustration of both hands.
4. Hold the bat, maintaining the V shape only. The right-handed batsman must keep the right hand on top of the bat, and left-handed ones should place the left hand on the top.
5. Spare a little space between both hands. This technique will help you in making shots in all directions.

V technique is the most used technique in the cricketing realm. 

• Knot technique

Start the knot technique by making a V shape only using your forefinger and thumbs. Now rotate your hands in a clockwise direction if the top hand is left. In the same way, rotate in an anticlockwise direction if the top hand is the right one. Keep fastening your hands until both the top and bottom hands face the same direction. In this position, make sure that the V you have formed is in an open upwards position. This method works best for short as well as fastballs. It will entitle you to a good grip and will also increase your stride rate.

These two are the most notable techniques used in the cricketing world. They work best for most of the batsmen and help them in attempting good shots. 

How to buy a cricket bat online?

Choosing a suitable bat online might seem an uphill task to accomplish, but it’s pretty easy. Following are the three primary parameters which one should look into the bat before purchase.

• Price

The first thing to check is pricing criteria. Check the price of the bats you have on your wishlist, then compare them with market rates. Ultimately, go with the ones which are reasonable and durable.

• Brand

The next and most crucial point to remember while choosing a bat online is brand. Reebok, Puma, Gunn & Moore, Gray Nicolls and Kookaburra are the most notable brands. Go for these as a priority as they are quite reputed.

• Reviews

One of the most essential elements is to examine the reviews. Checking the feedback of the customers will assist the users in selecting the superb bat. The reviews are based on real-time usage and experience; it is why checking them is crucial.

Just keep these three factors before selecting the bat online, and you will make a good purchase.

How to make a cricket bat at home?

Cricket bats mark the base of the cricket game. They are pretty fancy and expensive for those who need them just for some domestic use and fun. Well, you don’t need to expend heavy bucks into purchasing a bat as you can make it at home too. All you will need is an unused wooden block and some carpenter tools. Making a cricket bat at home looks pretty cumbersome, but it’s pretty effortless if one undertakes the correct steps.

Following are the significant steps you need to follow to carve a perfect bat at your home-

1. Mark the measurement on a wooden block

The first step is to take a plain wooden block. Then, dot the measurements using the scale on the wooden slab. Carve a perfect shape on the wood as per your size and weight preferences.

2. Cut the bat according to the distribution.

After marking the measurements, cut the bat according to the measure with utmost precision and accuracy. Using the hand saw, follow all the markings and procure a perfect shape. You can cut a rough shape too and refine it in the later step.

3. Refine the bat

Using the wooden plane, refine the shape of the bat. Keep scraping the spare part on the bat’s surface using a wooden plane. Shed all the extra parts and focus on illustrating the edges of the bat the most. Perform the refining of the bat with extra care and explicitness as its handle is very delicate.

4. Giving final touch and finishing

Now the last but most crucial step is to bestow the final outlook to the bat. Tie threads on the handle of the bat to give it a more appealing look. You can attach a rubber cover too to confer a more attractive look to the bat.

Execute all the above steps with sheer perfection and get yourself a fine bat.

How to grip the cricket bat?

The most important part of cricket is to attempt deliveries in the perfect manner possible. Well, perfect shots take place only when the grip on the bat’s handle is firm and smooth.

To ensure a solid grip on the bat, stick to the V position. V technique is the most crucial trick to present the best shots in slow and fast bowling too. Make a fine V shape using your thumb and forefinger and place it on the back of the bat’s surface. You can shift the V position to the front surface of the bat too as per your convenience. The critical point to remember is to maintain the V shape.   

Another most pivotal factor to intensify the grip is to check and maintain it continuously. To cross-check the grip, practice with the stumps. While practising, remove the middle stump for a while and attempt shots from the back of the stumps. Attempt a few straight drives and backlift, and they will provide you with feedback on the grip. If the ball sails through the middle stump’s space smoothly, then the shot would be perfect. But if it does not pass effectively, then work on your grip. Place the bat on the ground and attempt more shots until your grip improves. Maintain the vertical bat’s position while trying the shots. These few add-ups will improve your grip game to whole new folds.

Make sure you are checking on your positions of the hand and shifting them according to your preferences. During the game, don’t focus only on the ball; give a regular check to your grip too. A concrete grip on the handle will make you attempt shots more gracefully. Follow the listed tips and develop a fine grasp and eventually add more perfection to your batting skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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