Detailed Guide on Cricket Bats
A cricket bat is simply equipment made from wooden pieces
used by a sportsperson in the cricket sport to hit the ball. Generally,
a cricket bat consists of a cane handle that is attached to a flat-fronted
wooden blade willow. The cricket bat is usually preserved and protected with the
linseed oil. However, the durability, toughness, and shock-resistance are dependent
upon its willow and grain structure.
But when a sportsperson is looking for a perfect bat, then he should keep his eyes
focused on specific parameters. So, let us start with the size of the cricket bat.
The cricket bat size and weight
Whenever a sportsperson or any new individual in cricket sports is choosing their
bat, make sure first to ask yourself which bat size is the best for you? And how
much weight is right? Selecting the right size and weight of the bat is crucial
for every sportsperson.
According to the laws of cricket, the size of a cricket bat should not be more than
38 inches or 965 mm. The width of the bat is not more than 4.25 inches or 108 mm.
The edge of the bat must be 1.56 inches or 40 mm.
The exact depth of the bat should not exceed 2.65 inches or 67 mm. This rule updated
in 2017. The umpire is provided with bat gauge so they can check the legality of
the bat anytime in between the game also.
Although there are no specific parameters for the weight of the bat, still the average
weight of the bat is from 2 lb to 3lb or 1.2 to 1.4 kg
A cricket bat is available in a different range of sizes. For the children, the
size of the bat will range from 0 to 6. However, the size of the bat for an adult
is mentioned above. The adult bat size comes with a short handle while the long
handle is still in option to be customized. The sizes of the bat of children vary.
As when they increase, the size also increases. But for the adults, these parameters
are fixed.
The shape of the cricket bat
In today's scenario, the speed of the game is changed. So nowadays, players go for
a thick blade bat with a massive profile which can offer them great knocking power.
Usually, the players follow these parameters like-
The bow of the cricket bat: It should be distinct, large and subtle
The edge thickness: In between the range of 34 to 38 mm
The back-profile concavity: The concavity refers to the woodcut out from the sides
of the batting spine. It is done to reduce the weight of the bat and improve picking.
The swell depth: In between the range of 63 mm to 65 mm
Types of willows used in a cricket bat
The cricket bats are made up of flat-front willow. Most commonly, two types of willows
are there: English and Kashmiri willow. The English willow is the UK based whereas
Kashmiri willow is Indian based. The English willow bats
give high and finest performance. The Kashmiri willow bat will be a substitute for
the English willow and is quite harder as compared to the English willow bat. The English willow bat consists of four to fourteen grains
based upon the type of willow and its grades. Typically, English willow cleft is
processed with the natural drying technique to give the best willow performance.
The Kashmiri willow
The Kashmiri willow bats are quite heavy, and it might
be perfect for the beginners. The Kashmiri willow bat is even harder and fit in
the budget of the sportsperson who is just beginning their game. The grains of the
Kashmiri willow bat are not so clear and straight as
compared to the English willow bat. But if you are beginning your game, then this
will be perfect for you.
The willow grade differences
The willow grade differences determine the quality of the willow. The
English willow bats are classified into grades based on their quality:
Grade 1 (A) + English willow:
The best willow which the player can buy is Grade 1 (A) + willow. The blade of the
bat is normally unbleached with 8-12 grains. It is also blemished free to some extent.
The price of the English willow bat for a full-size bat is $350, and for the junior
blade, it will be $150. The English willow cricket bat
Grade 1 is designed for professional cricket players.
Grade 1 (A) English willow:
The grade 1 (A) English willow is high quality unbleached and naturally dried. It
is with slightly broader grain and with no blemishes. The price
of the English willow bat is in the range of $250 t- $300 for an adult
blade and in between the range of $120 to $150 for the junior blade.
Grade 2 English willow:
In grade 2 English willow clefts, the grains are irregular and are minor blemished.
The English willow bat with grade 2 is unbleached and
has red-wood on the edges. The price range of this bat is between $200 to $250 for
a full-size blade, and between $100-$120 for the junior blade.
Grade 3 English willow:
The grade three English willow
is an unbleached willow that comes with a natural drying process. The willow is
provided with 4-5 grains with irregular grain profiling. Blemishes observe on the
front of the bat. The bat with grade 3 English willow is for intermediate players
of the cricket. English Willow bat price in grade 3
is nearly $150 for a full-size blade and nearby $75 to $100 for the junior blade.
Grade 4 English willow:
The grade 4 English willow is
covered with protective facing and also sold as non-oil. The grains are limited
to only 3-4 and are also irregular. The price of the grade 4 English willow bat
is $100 for a full-sized blade and $50 for the junior blade.
The Kashmiri willow:
The Kashmiri willow bat is quite
heavy and has irregular grains. The Kashmiri willow is harder. The price of the
Kashmiri willow is slightly lower than that of the English grain willow, and it
is quite affordable for those who have a small budget.
The grains of the cricket bat
The grains that we have mentioned in the grades of English willow define the quality
and performance of the bat. The larger the grains, the better will be the performance
of the bat and better is the quality of willow. Generally, the sports persons prefer
to have a bat with more grains and also with a straight grain profile. The willow
with ten above grains represents the best quality willow.
These grains are nothing but the straight vertical lines on the wooden blade which
develop with time. The bat with the tight grains will be quick in peak performance.
The tight grain bat has a natural hard surface that is best suited for knocking
performance.
But the bat with few grains or wider grains shows that these bats are slightly lighter
in weight and a little softer core which is suited for an average performance.
The types of the handle of the cricket bat
The cane handle is often available with covered rubber for easy gripping and maximum
shock absorption. The cane handle is available in different types and lengths like
an oval, round, thick, thin, long, short, and regular oval.
The short handle oval shape is generally preferred for the sportsperson having height
5ft 9 inches. The length of the handle is approximately 85 cm or nearly 33 inches.
Almost, all the bats are available at this size handle.
However, the long handle oval shape adds an extra inch to the bat for the sportsperson
with a height of above 6ft. The long handle also supports straight body posture
for the sportsman having a height above 6ft.
The flexibility and gripping with ease depends upon the type of handle in the bat.
The right handle will result in the biggest knock performance with firm gripping.
One may observe the oval shape with a triangular shape fitted in the blade, which
is also good for performing the best. But the length of the handle will vary from
short handle to long handle. It will depend upon the height of the person.
The bat based upon batting style and sweet spots
In every bat, there is a sweet spot- the area that generates maximum ball timing.
But the location of this sweet spot depends upon the construction and shape of the
bat. Depending upon the batting style, the shape of the bat is unique to you. For
instance- the front foot player feels more comfortable in knocking with the bat
having lower-middle sweet spots. But the back-foot player will go for the higher
middle bats which is ideal for the pulls and cuts.
So, along with these parameters of selecting a good bat for the highest
performance, one must correctly maintain their bat to prevent it from damage. Thus,
before and after the performance, the bat must be stored at a moderate temperature.
One must try to avoid wet conditions. Do not over oil the bat, and try to avoid
excessive mis-trim shots.