Choosing a new cricket bat can be a difficult decision - but an extremely fun one if you know what you’re looking for. With so many to choose from at NZ Cricket Store, we thought you might need a hand finding the right one for you. So, we put together this handy guide to help point you in the right direction and find the perfect bat.

1. Budget

We've broken down this complicated buying process into a few simple steps to help you make your decision. Before starting your search at our online store, it is good to go in with a budget in mind. This will help you narrow down your options. Although price is not the last determining factor, it must be considered.

2. Consider the Style of Play

Bats often come in different designs with a slightly altered shape. If the player likes the style and shape, they will choose a specific model. Are you more dominant on the front or back foot? Bats can be designed in such a way that the play area is better placed to increase the play value of hits. If you like to play with the forefoot, place the golden mean in the bottom of the foot. If you prefer to play with your back foot, look out for bats that have a mid-height sweet spot. Bat makers create cricket bats with different profiles, edges, scallops, gold spots, and so on. These aspects of the club change the effectiveness depending on the player. Most clubs are designed for all styles of cricket: T20, ODI or Test. However, some clubs can be adapted for certain styles when modelled for a certain style of cricket. 

3. Bat Weight

One of the most important aspects is weight. You don't want a cricket bat that is too heavy or too light, as this will affect your playing ability. This is especially important for young people because a heavy bat won't necessarily get you to hit the ball further if you're not strong enough to hit the ball properly. As a result, a bat that is too light can lower your potential. We all would like a stick with a massive profile and very light weight, but this is extremely rare. 

4. Wood

There are about 5 varieties of willow from which bats are made. Grade 1 is generally the most productive willow with 8-10 grains and very little or no bat face spot. Cheaper bats tend to be made from Grade 5 willow with 4-5 grains and more face spots. These ratings give a general rule of thumb for performance, but results vary from bat to bat. If you need one that is ready to use right away, bats with a higher Willow grade are available right away, while bats in other grades may take longer to reach peak performance. In some cases, bats using lower-grade willow trees may perform better than bats using higher-grade willow trees.

Now you have these starter points, it’s time to start looking. Shop with us today.

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