| "A great bat alone doesn't make a great batsman". I | | | | wood used in a bat. So it's preferable to choose a |
| believe most would agree with me on this. Even | | | | bat with 6 to 8 grains. It would give a good balance |
| though a talent of a batsman plays an important role | | | | between durability and sensitivity. The simple logic is, |
| in his performance a wrong choice of bat can | | | | higher the grains more sensitivity but less durability |
| certainly affect even the most talented batsmen. | | | | since the wood is much older. Choosing a bat with |
| When choosing a bat different people would look at | | | | fewer grains may turn out to be very durable but |
| different factors. But I believe these are the four | | | | you have to put a lot of work to make it sensitive. |
| main factors you need to consider while choosing a | | | | 4) Brand Name: |
| bat especially if you are relatively new to cricket. | | | | I am sure many would be tempted to buy a bat |
| 1) Size of the bat: | | | | used by their favorite player. First you have to |
| I have seen many parents making the mistake of | | | | understand that most of the reputed international |
| buying a adult bat for their kid when there are junior | | | | player's bats are custom made with the best possible |
| bats available especially for kids. In cricket size of a | | | | resources and it just carries the sponsor's sticker. So |
| bat plays an important role. In fact there is a | | | | it's impossible for you to expect the same quality |
| standard that's followed which states the preferable | | | | when you pick up a particular branded bat endorsed |
| bat size to use depending on a players height. | | | | by your favorite player. |
| Height of Player------------Bat Size | | | | So it would be a better choice to go with a branded |
| Up to 4' ---------------------0 | | | | bat that suites your style rather than the one |
| 4' to 4' 3"------------------- 1 | | | | endorsed by your favorite player. Now a days it's |
| 4' 3" to 4' 6"-----------------2 | | | | easier to choose a bat because all top brand have so |
| 4' 6" to 4' 9"-----------------3 | | | | many models available catering to the needs of |
| 4' 9" to 4' 11"----------------4 | | | | different styles of players. |
| 4' 11" to 5' 2"----------------5 | | | | Different models are available based on the weight, |
| 5' 2" to 5' 4"-----------------6 | | | | height, grains, sweet spot, thickness of the edges, |
| 5' 4" to 5' 6"-----------------Harrow | | | | etc. Your job of choosing a bat is made easier since |
| 5' 6" to 5' 9"-----------------Small Mens | | | | the bats are given star rating depending on the |
| 5' 9" to 6'--------------------Short Handle | | | | quality of the willow and the technology used. Higher |
| 6' +--------------------------Long Handle | | | | the star then better the bat is. But it doesn't mean |
| 2) Weight of a bat: | | | | that you need to have highest star rated bat. You |
| Many believe that only a heavy bat can help them to | | | | need to first consider the above discussed factors |
| hit a ball out of the ground. It used to be true in | | | | first. |
| olden days but with new innovations coming in to bat | | | | Now a day's most of the branded bats are |
| making there are many light weight models that can | | | | pre-knocked in and oiled, with a clear anti-scuff cover |
| be as powerful as a bat can get. So choose a bat | | | | applied to face and edges to improve durability. So |
| that you feel comfortable with. Weight of a bat plays | | | | you just need to knock it for an hour and oil it a bit. |
| an important role in pick up. The top hand plays an | | | | Also use product like Shoo goo to protect the toe of |
| important role in bat pick up. The left hand is the top | | | | the bat instead of toe guards. The reason is that |
| hand while holding a bat for right handed batsmen | | | | shoo goo doesn't affect the bat performance in any |
| and vice versa for a left hander. So choose a bat | | | | way and many believe that a toe guard can |
| that you feel comfortable playing only with your top | | | | sometimes affect the bats performance. |
| hand. If you find it heavy just holding it with your top | | | | Choosing a good bat is just half the work done. A |
| hand, avoid it. | | | | good bat needs some time and care from you to |
| 3) Grain of the Bat: | | | | get the maximum out of it. |
| The grain of the bat determines the age of the | | | | |