Cricket bat is the special type of wood structure used to hit cricket ball in the game of cricket. Most of bats (about 90%) in modern cricket are made from the special willow wood. Cricket bat has narrow handle and a flat base to hit balls. With the use of modern technology, the quality of cricket bat has also significantly improved. Cricket bats in the early years used to be heavy but, had less stroke. But, nowadays cricket bats are light and has better stroke.

Cricket Bats Contents

Cricket Bats History
Cricket Bats Official Size
Modern Cricket Bats
Buy a Cricket Bat

CRICKET BATS HISTORY

The term cricket bat was first mentioned in 1624. In that time, the bats used to be in the shape of hockey stick because bowlers used to ball underarm ball as there was no bowling rules mentioned. During 1970's, there was change in cricket rule and bowlers could bowl the length ball as well. Hence, the cricket bat was modified and sides were made parallel with and handle was made thin. This cricket bat is similar to the modern bats used now a days but, the bat was very heavy and had little stroke in comparison. It was 1835, the first round arm bowling was allowed and it was necessary to modify the weight of bat and make it lighter so that batsman could pick it and use it with ease. During the same period, bats were first manufactured using more than one piece before this time, cricket bat used to be made of a single wood used to break very fast.

Cricket Bats History

In the same year 1835, the maximum length of the cricket bat was fixed. The maximum length of bat was fixed 38 inches at that time which is also same in present context. In 1864, the over war bowling was allowed and there was more lightening of bat and refining of the blade. There is no any significant history about the cricket bat until 2010. In year 2010, the mongoose bat was launched for the first time which is specially designed for the T20 cricket. Mongoose bat blade is 33% longer than normal blade and handle is 43% longer than normal bat handle. With the growth of T20 cricket and Honkong Super sixes, we might see cricket bats with other variety too in near future.

CRICKET BATS SIZE AND DIMENSION

There are some limits about size and shape of bats as marked by the ICC cricket.

Cricket Bats Length:

Cricket Bats are classified into bat size 1, bat size 2 an so on on the basis of the height of the bat.
Size 5 Bat: Height from 4'-11" to 5'-2"
Size 6 Bat: Height from 5'-3" to 5'-4"
Harrow Bat: Height from 5'-4" to 5'-5"
Academy Bat: Height from 5'-6" to 5'-9"
Full Size Cricket Bats: Height above 5'-9"
Size 1 bats to size 4 bats are very small in size and are never used in international cricket. These size bats are used by kids. Full Size Bats are the bats that are generally used in international cricket. Full size bats are also categorized in to 2 categories, short handle bat and long handle bats. Short handle bats are from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet two inches and above this, the bat is called long handle bats. Long handle bats are not allowed in international cricket as marked by ICC.
Maximum Height Of a Cricket Bat Fixed By ICC: 38 inches or 6 feet 2 inches. 

Cricket Bats Width:

Cricket Bats width is relative to its height. For the certain height of the bat, it width is also generally fixed certain. Here is the list for cricket bats width according to its height.
Size 5 Bat : 4 feet
Size 6 Bat : 4 feet
Harrow Bat : 4 feet 2 inches
Academy Bat : 4 feet 3 inches
Maximum width Of The Cricket Bat Marked By ICC: 108 mm ( nearly 4 feet 3 inches)

Weight Of Cricket Bat:

There is no precise weight how heavy a bat should be. Generally, the international level cricket bats are within the range of 1.1kg to 1.4kg. International players like Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar used to play with heavy bat in their early days but, the trend of playing with heavy bat has changed drastically.

MODERN CRICKET BATS

As mentioned with the growth the cricket from ancient low arm bowling to T20 cricket, the cricket bats have been changed from bat that resembling hockey stick to awkward looking bat with handle nearly equal to blade of the bat, mongoose bat. The bats has become more lighter and lighter but, the stroke and quality of bat has increased tremendously. Even, few decades back, hitting a six was extremely difficult and one who had enough power with good timing could only hit sixes regularly. Now, a days hitting a six is more about timing. This has significantly increased the quality of the cricket game. 

TOP 10 CRICKET BATS

1.Kookaburra Kahuna

2.SS Ton

3.Adidas Incurza

4.Grey Nicolls Viper

5.Adidas Master Blaster Club

6.GM Icon

7.Reebok Blast

8.Puma Ballistic

9.SG Cobra Select

10.Kookaburra Angry Beast

When you are choosing a cricket bat, you might fall in trouble. Almost every bat look alike and have same features and price. Whenever buying a bat or choosing a cricket bat to play you must keep some simple things in mind which will make your work easier and will help you to blast fours and sixes.

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1. 1
   Your requirement. Whenever you are buying a bat, keep in mind your requirements. If you want to play with tennis or rubber balls, a tennis bat is perfect for you. If you want to play with polystyrene or with leather ball, you have to buy bats which are more thicker. These bats are costlier.
2. 2
   Whenever buying a cricket bat, refer the size of the bat.Bats come in different sizes. If you are already 11 years or 12, size 4 will be fit for you. But if you are little younger, you will have to go for sizes 5 or 6. If you are playing for school team or attending club, Senior size(SH/LH) is most suitable.
3. 3
   Choose a reliable or trusted company. Now-a-days there are many reliable bat manufacturers. Some of them are Reebok, S.G., Kookaburra, G.M., Puma, Adidas, etc. Prices may vary according to manufacturers and their models. Kookaburra is one of the most popular and trusted bat manufacturer in the world.
4. 4
   Choose your suitable willow. There are two major most used willows in the world used to make bats. These are English Willow and Kashmir Willow. Remember English Willow are much costlier than Kashmir Willow as English Willow Bats have more stroke and power and these are imported. But Kashmir Willow are much cheaper and good for beginners. Nothing is more important than choosing the willows.
5. 5
   The weight of the bats vary according to manufacturer and willow. English willow are much lighter than Kashmir Willow. Whenever buying a bat check the weight. If you think it is much heavier than usual, the bat may be made of general wood. Kashmir Willow have more weight, but they are well good for beginners.
6. 6
   Grains. Grains are the lines which is present in the Face of the bat. They represent the age of the willow. The more the grains the better it performs but will last a little shorter than less grained bats. Normally a bat with 6+ grains is considered to be good. 10+ grains means the willow is A+ grade or players grade, 8+grains means willow is A grade. 6+ means B+ Grade

BEST CRICKET BATS

                                                        1.SG SULEGEND