| Cricket bats are not generic products. Each bat is well | | | | hour with it your arms will get tired and your game |
| crafted and there are a lot of different varying | | | | will be affected if the bat is too heavy. |
| factors that will affect the type of cricket bat that a | | | | Back lift |
| person has. There are hundreds on the market that | | | | Back lift is the term for how much the bat is raised in |
| you could choose from and it can be difficult not to | | | | preparation for the bowl. Depending on the amount |
| get carried away with just buying the most popular | | | | of back lift that you personally use will depend on the |
| one or the one that looks the most attractive. When | | | | type of bat you should have. If you have an over |
| buying a bat you have to really consider your playing | | | | exaggerated one like Brian Lara then you should stay |
| style in order to find the right bat for you, having the | | | | away from heavier bats even if you are strong. Big |
| wrong bat can seriously affect your game. | | | | back lift players rely on the speed of their bats to |
| Some things that need to be considered are: | | | | give them power so they should stick to medium or |
| Strength | | | | light bats. A lot back lift calls for a heavier bat to add |
| How strong are you? If you are physically strong, as | | | | the power to the swing. |
| in you have good shoulders, biceps and forearms | | | | Handle Length |
| then you would be better going for a heavier bat. | | | | Longer handles don't seem to be very popular these |
| The advantages of having a heavier bat is that they | | | | days. If you are tall though and like to play your |
| are brilliant for long distance big shots and are a lot | | | | shots mostly upright then a longer handled bat would |
| more durable than the lighter bats as they do not | | | | be more suited to you. |
| break as easily. | | | | Sweet Spot |
| How to test your strength | | | | Each player is different when deciding on where they |
| You will be able to find out whether a bat is too | | | | want the sweet spot to be. The sweet spot is |
| heavy for you by doing this simple test. Hold the bat | | | | where the centre of gravity falls and where you will |
| with one hand at the top of the handle. Raise your | | | | most likely strike the ball with the bat. Some players |
| extended arm above your shoulder. You should be | | | | like it low, some like it to be in the middle or evenly |
| able to hold it there for 20 seconds, if you struggle | | | | spread. This one is all down to personal choice, you |
| or cannot do it, then the bat is too heavy for you. | | | | will have to try varying different bats to see which |
| This test is more about stamina, the bat may not | | | | one you like. |
| feel too heavy to start with but after playing for an | | | | |