| Cricket bats are available with a wide range of | | | | thickness that gives each model a different feel and |
| features, and choosing one is a very personal | | | | flexibility. |
| decision. There are no right or wrong bats, just the | | | | Cricket bats are made of willow, a soft fine grained |
| one that feels right for you. Of these features, size | | | | wood. Look for 7 or 8 straight grains in the willow |
| and "pick-up" or "feel" are particularly important. | | | | across a bat's face for the optimum sensitivity and |
| The top of the bat handle should reach the top of a | | | | durability. Fewer grains are more durable but less |
| player's thigh, allowing him to take guard with his | | | | sensitive, more grains are more sensitive and less |
| weight evenly balanced on both feet, and with his | | | | durable. |
| eyes level facing the bowler. | | | | Before use, "untreated" new bats need oiling lightly |
| The weight of cricket bats varies from around 1lb | | | | with raw linseed oil, then, "knocking in" with an old ball |
| 11oz for the smallest junior bat to 3lb 4oz for the | | | | or a bat mallet, to compress the fibers of the willow |
| heaviest full size bat, though anything over 3lb takes | | | | on the face and edges in preparation for hitting a |
| considerable strength to wield. | | | | hard cricket ball. Knocking in a new bat can take |
| However, the ease of "pick-up" of a bat while batting | | | | several hours. |
| is more important than its absolute weight, and | | | | However, many new bats are now pre-knocked in |
| depends on both the bat size and how the weight is | | | | and oiled, with a clear anti-scuff cover applied to face |
| distributed around the blade. Different batsmen | | | | and edges to improve durability. These bats only |
| prefer different "pick-up", so its important to get the | | | | need around 45 minutes to one hour of knocking in, |
| feel of several bats before making a choice. | | | | and a light covering of oil on uncovered parts of the |
| Pick-up affects bat control, which must be exercised | | | | blade. Another addition might be a rubberized toe |
| only by the batsman's "top hand" on the bat handle - | | | | guard, to prevent damp seeping into the willow. |
| this is the left hand for a right handed batsman. If he | | | | These extras are good news for all players, especially |
| can't play strokes with his top hand alone then the | | | | young ones who will be keen to use their new bat as |
| bat is too heavy; his technique will suffer and | | | | soon as possible. |
| frustration will follow. It is particularly important for | | | | Most cricket bat manufacturers use a star rating |
| junior batsmen to avoid this, so that they learn the | | | | system to indicate the quality of a bat - the more |
| right technique and enjoy batting. | | | | stars, the better the quality of the willow and/or the |
| Other features affecting a bat's performance and | | | | level of technology of the bat. However, top of the |
| balance are slight curvature of the bat face to bring | | | | range bats are unnecessary for most players, so |
| the point of impact with the ball below the batsman's | | | | consider all the factors in this article before you part |
| eyes, and bat handle technology and varying handle | | | | with your money! |