| Nothing is more important to a batsman than his | | | | - How high is your back lift? If you have a back lift |
| cricket bat. You hear stories of even the best | | | | like the one Brian Lara had, you better stay away |
| international players sleeping with their bats before a | | | | from the heavy bats even if you are strong. Big back |
| cricket match. With hundreds of models available, it is | | | | lift players rely on bat speed for their shots and you |
| easy to get carried away and buy one that is | | | | will be best equipped with light or medium heavy |
| attractive and popular rather than buy one that suits | | | | bats. If you however have a low back lift like Sachin |
| your batting style. | | | | Tendulkar or Paul Collingwood, you can try heavier |
| Here are some pointers that you should consider. | | | | bats for more punch in your shots. |
| - How strong are you? If you have good shoulders, | | | | - Long handle or short handle? Long handles are not |
| biceps and strong forearms, you can go in for | | | | very popular these days. If you are however quite |
| heavier bats. Heavy bats are good for big shots and | | | | tall and play your shots standing upright, a long handle |
| they also last longer than light ones as they do not | | | | bat is quite good as you will use the middle a lot |
| break easily. A good way to test if your bat is too | | | | more than with a short handled one. |
| heavy for you is to hold it with one hand at the top | | | | - Where do you prefer the sweet spot to be? Some |
| of the handle. Now raise your extended arm above | | | | players like it low, some like the sweet spot to be in |
| your shoulder height and hold it for about 20 seconds. | | | | the middle, some like it to be evenly spread. It is all a |
| If you cannot hold it comfortably for even 20 | | | | matter of personal choice. Once you have decided |
| seconds, it is too heavy for you. Remember that you | | | | where your sweet spot should be, tap a cricket ball |
| will have to use it for at least an hour if you want to | | | | at the store to assure yourself that it is exactly |
| make a good amount of runs, the bats weight should | | | | where you want it to be. |
| be something that you can manage as you get tired. | | | | |