What is the Best Cricket Bat?

What are the different types of cricket bat?

There are two main types: English willow and Kashmir willow. If you're serious about performance, English willow is your go-to. It's lighter, easier to handle, and gives you that satisfying "ping" that pros crave. Kashmir willow is a budget-friendly option, ideal for beginners or casual play, but it can’t quite match the pop of English willow. Most professionals, for a reason, stick to English willow, so if you're aiming to up your game, this is the one to grab.

What do cricket bat grades mean?

Bat grades are all about the quality of the willow. Grade 1 is the cream of the crop—straight grains, clean wood, and few imperfections. But don’t sleep on lower grades like Grade 3. They might not look as pretty, but they can still deliver knockout performance. In fact, lower-grade bats can sometimes outperform higher-grade ones, offering a great balance of durability, performance, and price.

Do higher bat grades perform better?

It’s all about what you’re after. More grains indicate older, denser willow, which performs well straight out of the box but may wear out quicker. Fewer grains mean younger willow that takes a little time to peak but will last longer. Nowadays, most bats are made from faster-grown willow, and the performance difference is minimal. Focus on how the bat feels in your hands, not just how many grains you see.

Is it better to have more grains on a cricket bat?

That depends on what you want from your bat. The grains show the age of the willow – each grain signifies one year of growth. More grains on the face of a bat thus implies older, denser willow. As general rule, older willow performs better from first use but begins to break up more quickly, while younger willow takes a bit longer to reach peak performance but is more durable overall. Some players prefer the look of a bat with lots of grains and the traditional premium status that comes with it.

Our advice is not to be too preoccupied with the number of grains. These days, due to the high demand for cricket bats, the vast majority of English willow used for bats is younger, faster-grown willow, and the quality is such that they perform every bit as well as the many-grained bats of yesteryear. Batmakers know what they’re doing: if they’ve made the effort to turn the willow into a bat, they’re expecting it to be a good bat, however many grains it has.

What’s the best cricket bat brand?

There are lots of good ones, and you can rest assured that you’ll find the best cricket bats in the world on our site. You’ll see pro players using many different brands, which is testament to the quality and breadth of choice available. It’s up to you to pick your favourite, really.

Do you prefer the traditional English artisan approach still used by the likes of Gray-Nicolls and Newbery, with their history and classic branding? Or maybe you want the machined precision of a Gunn & Moore? Then there’s Kookaburra, creator of some of the most iconic bats of the modern era. DSC, the Indian giants. And, of course, global multi-sport brands such as adidas and New Balance.

Whichever brand of bat you choose, if we stock them, you know they’re quality cricket bats. But how do you choose? Stickers, for one – get a bat that you think looks good, and you’ll feel good using it. The other, more important, consideration is profile. Pick a brand that offers a shape that suits your style of play, and you’re onto a winner.

Which cricket bat shape is best for me?

Your playing style is the key. Power hitters should look for a bat with a lower middle and a thick toe for those heavy drives. If you're more of a touch player who loves pulling and hooking, go for something lighter with a higher sweet spot. And don’t forget about the handle: round handles are perfect for wristy players, while oval handles give you better control and stability. Find the shape that feels natural in your hands and suits the way you like to play. 

 

Shop our full collection of cricket bats and find your perfect bat.