cricket
Cricket bat grades: Is it just about looks?
If you’ve learned anything about cricket bats, you’ll know that there is some debate over pretty much every aspect of bats, and what is suitable for each cricketer. Luckily, one of the “standard” properties of a bat, and one we can measure and agree on, is the grade of the willow. So what does cricket bat grading entail? How do the grades of cricket bats come into play on the pitch and when buying your next bat? What Willow Grades Mean Both English willow and Kashmir willow have grades. These are intended to be a simplified method of understanding the quality on offer with each bat. As you might expect, grade one is the highest, and therefore the best quality, but there are plenty of other grades that are absolutely suitable for use. A grade three cricket bat is not suddenly a “bad” bat. The grade helps to dictate the use of a bat, for instance, whether it is good enough for professional use. If you were to go and buy a grade one cricket bat, expect it to cost you a small fortune, but this is a bat that is going to be suitable for use by everyone, including professionals. When you watch a big test series on TV, you are going to see a lot of high grade bats. There may be some myths out there about cricket bats and their grades, and we take a deep dive into the different grades, their meanings, and what is suitable for you in this guide. Why Does English Willow Cost So Much? At The Village Cricket Co., our bats are made out of high-grade Kashmir willow. A Kashmir willow bat tends to be much more affordable, and makes the ideal choice for a village cricketer. English willow is known around the world as a gold standard, but that’s not to say that Kashmir willow should be ignored. Top professionals including Sir Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar have used grade one Kashmir willow. Speaking in general terms, a grade 1+ Kashmir willow plays the same as grade two English willow. English willow costs vastly more due to the fact that the wood is not so abundant, and the fact that the willow gets exported to India to be turned into a bat before being imported back into England, or on to Australia. This is all adding to the cost. Willow is a commodity, and like all commodities, many different factors can impact upon the price. English vs. Kashmir Willow We have created a full guide to English willow vs. Kashmir willow here. Who are we to talk? Well, we’ve certainly done our research. Our team has: Read around 300 articles comparing the types of willow and what their properties are, including consumer reviews. Tested bats made from both English and Kashmir willow and tried out all of the different grades of each. Used the bats in a variety of different conditions, outdoor and indoor. Kashmir willow has some significant differences. It’s denser. Though the willow tree itself is identical, the fact that it is grown in different conditions in Kashmir makes it harder and denser. This can actually lead to the bat lasting longer than English willow. Colour. You can see the difference between the two types of willow. Kashmir willow is darker, again, this is due to the conditions in which it is grown. “Ping”. The Kashmir willow might lack a little bit of ping off the bat when compared to English willow, which is renowned for helping top players hit huge boundaries. The key term here is “top players” – the vast majority of amateur and village cricketers will not be able to benefit from this. Generally speaking, we would say that Kashmir willow needs to be one grade above English to perform similarly. A grade one English bat is roughly the same in terms of quality as a grade one Kashmir bat. Of course, cricket bat willow grades aren’t the only thing that goes into the character of the bat. Who Grades Willow For a Cricket Bat? The bat maker will select the wood used for a cricket bat, and they’ll grade the pieces of willow according to some physical characteristics (more on this below). Though there isn’t an ‘independent cricket bat grading’ profession, and it is down to the manufacturers, the big bat makers are all pretty good at reliably marketing their bats as the correct grades. In the industry, there are some accepted properties that make up each of the grades. Grade One The most expensive, and the best looking of all the cricket bat willow. There are at least six straight grains that are visible on the face of the bat, and while there are occasionally small knots or specks on the back of the bat or around the edges, the actual playing surface will look clean as a whistle. Grade Two Grade two is still a very high-quality blade. It might have more red wood visible than grade one, but we really don’t think this makes a big impact to the playability of the bat at all. The number of grains tend to be pretty similar to grade one bats too, but there may be the odd blemish. Grade Three Many manufacturers say that grade three is their best-selling type of bat. It tends to have a tint on the front of the wood but this doesn’t mean that it isn’t playable. In fact, these bats can be almost as good as the above grades when it comes to “ping” though there’s some debate on whether they’ll last as long. It’s likely there will be some specks around the face. Grade Four Grade four tends to be pretty discoloured in general, but the playability isn’t affected. They often only have four grains running along the face, and they may have more butterfly marks and specks. Grade Five Grade five tends to have a lot of stain in it, and doesn’t look great in comparison to even grade four wood, but it is still playable, especially for practicing. Wood Grade and Appearance There are some general “rules of thumb” when it comes to buying a bat, but there are always exceptions. For instance, higher grades of wood almost always perform better. However, the factors such as where the wood is grown also make a massive difference. A grade one wood will perform better than grade three or four in general, but the difference between one or two grades may not be hugely noticeable at a village level. Look at it this way; Jos Buttler might be able to hit a ball 65 meters with a grade three bat, and a grade one bat might make the ball fly an extra few meters or make slightly better contact. These are some of the fine margins we’re talking about. The look of the bat is definitely something that is considered when grading bats. It’s the main clue for manufacturers regarding whether the bat is going to be up to scratch. Appearance doesn’t always make or break a bat. For instance, wider grain bats might be a great piece of willow after a bit of playing in, but a lot of people search for thin grain bats. Did you know that a grain is generally regarded as a year in the life of the tree? Eight grains has often been discussed as the perfect amount for a bat, but this hasn’t necessarily held true. Some types of wood reach maturity quicker. Bat makers evaluate things like how many grains are on a piece of wood, the distance between them, how straight they are, and how many blemishes or discoloured sections there are. The truth is that you don’t necessarily know for sure whether a bat is for you until you pick it up and start to have a hit with it. Even then, it might require some time to bed in.
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Cricket bat grains: what they really mean
When you go to the first net session or practice of the season, it is almost inevitable that somebody has a new bat. Cue all of the club veterans wanting to take a good look at the cricket bat grains on it. Can they really tell anything from the grains, though? Or is this a bit like kicking the tyres on a used car? In this guide we’re exploring cricket bat grains, where they come from, and what they mean for a bat. Do they really impact the quality and the way a bat plays? One of the great things about cricket bats is that no two are exactly the same. The best batters out there will tell you they all have their own character, and batters always have a preference. Let’s explore how grains make up part of the equation. Where Cricket Bat Grains Come From Grains occur naturally on wood. The vast majority of cricket bats are made out of Willow. Both English Willow and Kashmir Willow are options, and of course both have grains. The number of grains just indicates how old the tree is that it was made from. Some people say that the older the tree, the better the bat it makes. However, the production cycles of cricket bats have become a lot quicker and this means that a lot of modern bats don’t have loads of grains on them. They can still make very good bats. It is an area of some debate. Some people will tell you that the grains are a really overrated feature of a cricket bat. Other people will tell you to never buy one without looking at the grains. The truth is somewhere in the middle of these statements. Tight Grains Tight grains are those that are closer together on the bat. The theory is that this creates a harder bat due to the fact that the willow has compacted over the years and the willow has become very dense. It can also impact things like the weight of the bat. If it has a tighter grain it is fair to assume that when the bat is pressed it will have a hard and durable surface. There are some downsides, too. If the grains are too tight it can make the bat more brittle and prone to breakages. Tight grains can also mean the bat is heavy and harder to play your shots. You can see how the whole process of finding a bat is such a complex one. Tight grains may be a matter of preference for some cricketers. The main thing is a quality, solid willow, and this is just one of the factors that plays a part in this. Wide Grains Bats with wide grains, of course, don’t have as many on them, and have been made from younger willow. This leads to a lighter bat, but one that is still pretty hefty as long as it is well-made and is properly looked after. A lot of players are looking for a lighter bat, this can help with pickup and may also be able to help you to hit the ball further. With either tight or wide grains, the surface is looked after in detail using the knocking in process, something you need to do on any bat. Wider-grained bats may need more in terms of knocking in to ensure that the fibres are tight and the bat surface is protected. When you buy the Village Cricket Bat, it arrives at your door having already been knocked in, meaning one less job for you to worry about. It also means the bat will be in superb condition and ready to play with. Do High Grains = High Grade You may already know that Willow is graded when it is used to make a cricket bat. The better the grade, the more expensive the bat is likely to be. Graders evaluate a few different aspects of the wood before assigning it a grade, and this ensures that quality wood can be used by the pros. Most village players need a good quality willow bat, but it not being A Grade 1 willow doesn’t matter too much. The number of grains will be evaluated when grading, but it is not the only factor. Higher numbers of grains will come into the process but this doesn’t automatically mean a great cricket bat. Other factors like knots and imperfections, or even stains, can play a part in how the wood is graded. While you won’t find a lot of the best grades with only a few grains, it is possible for Willow to have lots of grains and still be less than perfect. How to Count Grains If you are looking to count grains on the wood, the process is simple. Put the bat down on a table or flat surface, and under a light source. You’ll see the slightly darker lines running down the face of the bat. Each one of these is a grain. It is normal for bats to have between around 6 and 18 grains on them, but this can vary. As we’ve already discussed, your preferences may also vary. Are Grains a Myth? Cricket bat grains are certainly no myth. They are one of a number of different factors to play a part in grading the quality of the wood. Pay attention to the number of grains as well as their straightness and uniformity. A bat with a lot of nice, straight grains can be a good indicator of quality. If you are in the market for a new bat then the number of grains may play a part in your decision but it is only one of the factors. You need to consider cost, whether the bat has imperfections, and most importantly, the wood itself. Willow is the only option for a great bat.
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Cricket Bat Size For Children: The Complete Guide
Buying cricket equipment can be expensive, and even more expensive if you don’t buy the right size, and find that in a few months you need to purchase another size for your kid. Naturally, the best cricket bat for 11 year old children is going to be different from the best cricket bat for 7 year old children. Kids do a lot of growing in that time. Another consideration is the fact that children grow at very different rates, and of course, are naturally different shapes and sizes. In this guide to cricket bat sizes for children, we’ve delved into what size cricket bat for 6 year old all the way up to an adult is appropriate. How to Choose The Correct Bat Size For Children It isn’t as simple as just googling “cricket bat size for 12 year old boy” and going with the first piece of advice that is given to you. 12 year old boys have varying heights, and what feels right to one might feel wrong to another. The height is the most important factor in deciding the best bat size for children. Age doesn’t give too much of an indication of what kind of build a child is. Height is a much better guideline. Cricket bats have standardised children’s sizes. Sizes 1-6, followed by Harrow, and then the SH and LH sizes which are suitable for adults, but can also be used by children who have grown tall at a young age. The chart below shows the best cricket bat for children by height, and also includes an approximate age. BAT SIZE APPROX. AGE HEIGHT OF BATTER BAT LENGTH BAT WIDTH 1 4-6 Years Old Up to 4ft 3inches 25 1/4 inches 3 1/2 inches 2 6-8 Years Old 4ft 3″ – 4ft 6″ 27 3/4 inches 3 1/2 inches 3 8-9 Years Old 4ft 6″ – 4ft 9″ 28 3/4 inches 3 3/4 inches 4 9-10 Years Old 4ft 9″ – 4ft 11″ 29 3/4 inches 3 3/4 inches 5 10-11 Years Old 4ft 11″ – 5ft 2″ 30 3/4 inches 4 inches 6 11-13 Years Old 5ft 2″ – 5ft 5″ 31 3/4 inches 4 inches HARROW 12-14 Years Old 5ft 5″ – 5ft 8″ 32 3/4 inches 4 1/6 inches FULL SIZE (Short Handle) 15+ Years Old 5ft 8″ – 6ft 3″ 33 1/2 inches 4 1/4 inches FULL SIZE (Long Handle/Blade) 15+Years Old 6ft 3″ and above 34 3/8 inches 4 1/4 inches Of course, you might be trying to find the best cricket bat for 12 year old who is under 5 ft. Girls will often need smallers different sizes to boys of the same age, for instance. It’s more important that you match the height rather than the specific age of the child who is buying the bat. Buying the very first bat is always a challenge, because you will not have any sort of frame of reference. If your child has been using a size 3 junior cricket bat and has outgrown it, you’ll know that a size 4 cricket bat will probably do the job. The chart above is particularly useful for those making a decision on the first cricket bat for their child. It’s about what your kid is comfortable with, more than anything. You don’t want them to have to use a cricket bat that feels too heavy or cumbersome. It also shouldn’t feel like they’re trying to hit the ball with a toothpick. As a child reaches 14, 15, or even older, there is every chance that they will be able to play with an adult bat in the SH, or LH sizes. Cricket Bat Weight There are some methods you can use to test what cricket bat weight your kid can handle. This will play a part in choosing your purchase, alongside the cricket bat size for children. Your child should be able to hold the bat out in front of them, or to the side, at arm’s length, for an extended period of time. If it is uncomfortable, the bat is potentially too heavy for them. The bat sizes and an approximate weight of each can be seen below. Bat Size Approximate Weight Junior Bat 3 – 1lb 13oz – 2lb 1oz Junior Bat 4 – 2lb 1oz – 2lb 3oz Junior Bat 5 – 2lb 2oz – 2lb 4oz Junior Bat 6 – 2lb 3oz – 2lb 5oz Harrow – lb 5oz – 2lb 7oz Light SH – 2lb 6oz – 2lb 10oz Medium SH – 2lb 10oz – 2lb 12oz The Village Cricket Bat – A Size For Everyone The Village Cricket Bat is designed to make it easier for anyone to get into cricket, with affordable yet reliable equipment. That’s why we stock a full range of cricket bat sizes so that you can find the appropriate size for children or adults. The Village Cricket Bat is available in sizes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Harrow (a sort of in-between size before an adult bat) and the two mainstream adult sizes of SH and LH. The bat comes ready to play, meaning it is already knocked in. This is true no matter what size you buy. Knocking in a bat adds a difficult and annoying task before you get started. Luckily, as soon as our bat arrives it is ready to take to the nets. The Village Cricket Bat is made out of Kashmir Willow. This is the same tree as English Willow, but it has been grown in India. English bats have usually been exported to India to be made and then re-imported, but by using local willow we can save on costs and pass this saving to the consumer. We also don’t chase professionals and pay for sponsorships, another way for us to make savings that some other bat companies can’t. All of these savings get passed straight on to our customers. You don’t have to worry about the quality, either, and our bats come with a 180 day guarantee for your peace of mind. When you’re buying a cricket bat, there are a lot of different considerations. When you are looking for a cricket bat for a 5 year old or a 10 year old, you also need to think even more carefully about the size. Kids growth can be incredibly variable. The price is also a huge consideration, especially when you consider the fact that a child will go through multiple different sizes as they grow. That’s why we’re so proud to provide the Village Cricket Bat at a price that won’t make you run a mile.
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How Much Do Cricket Bats Cost? The Real Price
Cricket equipment is not cheap. If you work out the average cost of the stuff Ben Stokes carries around in his bag then you would probably be pretty shocked at the price. At the high level, though, the elite quality can make a big difference. To the average joe playing in his village cricket team, you need something reliable, but spending thousands on bats may not be an option. So what are some of the pricing points? How much do cricket bats cost and what can you expect for your money? What Impacts the Price of Bats? Before we delve into some rough prices and examples, it is a good idea to understand why bats cost the amount that they do. Numerous factors impact the price of the bats on the market: Willow. This is probably the number one factor in bat prices. Only certain types of willow are suitable for bats, and it isn’t the most abundant wood, nor is it easy to grow. That means it is quite expensive, especially English Willow. The Village Cricket Bat’s Kashmir Willow design is an ideal solution as the willow, while the same species, is grown in India and is more of an affordable yet durable option. Brand. Let’s face it, there is a premium attached to certain brands. If a brand is used by a certain professional it is likely that the cost will be higher and passed on to those who buy the bat. Size. There are many different bat sizes including junior sizes. Juniors use less material to make, of course. This means that the price is usually lower. The annoying thing is that you have to buy them regularly as children grow so quickly. Quality. The wood is also graded and the quality of the wood is taken into account during manufacture. Things like blemishes on the wood and the straightness of the grains play a part in the grading process and in turn impact the value. A bit like buying a wooden instrument, the very elite materials cost the most. Toy Bats and Cricket Sets – Under £50 If you just want a simple set for the kids or some friends to have a play in the garden or at the beach then you can pick up a plastic set. Of course, you won’t turn into a world-class cricketer using this but it is a good start and ideal for playing with friends. You get everything you need for a very reasonable price. There are bats made out of poor-quality composite woods out there, too. You can pick these up for under £50 but they are also only likely to be good for playing in the garden, too. If you try to use a hard ball with these cheaper bats it is likely that they’ll break pretty much straight away. A Reliable Budget Bat – £117 The Village Cricket Bat is the cheapest way to get your hands on a bat that is reliable, can handle the hard ball, and keeps you playing season after season. Our bat is kept at a low price point due to the fact that we use the strong yet affordable Kashmir Willow. On top of that, we don’t chase sponsorship deals, and we are focused on keeping equipment affordable for the village cricketer to allow everyone to play. The bat is designed to last season after season and even comes with a guarantee. The low middle is ideal for English conditions and allows you to find the sweet spot more often than bats with a high middle. The bat comes already knocked in and ready to play and even comes with a carry case. There aren’t many places where you can buy a bat that is good enough to face delivery after delivery with a hard leather ball for this kind of price. A Quality English Willow Bat – £300-600 Looking for an English Willow cricket bat? Prepare to pay a premium for it. For example, the New Balance DC 1280 Cricket Bat, released in time for the 2025 season, has an RRP of almost £500. It is a quality bat, but even this doesn’t promise the willow to be blemish-free. This kind of bat can provide you with a pro companion when you take to the crease. The DC range includes the bat that Steve Smith uses. At this price range you can find some bats (not the very top end) from manufacturers including Adidas, GM and Gray-Nicolls, but you might not get the very best willow and it can still have blemishes. Pro/Custom Bats – £600+ This is where things get pretty expensive. There are some great brands making some very high-quality bats. A quick look at a smaller brand (but one known for its quality professional bats) shows you how much a top bat costs. Their speciality bats are over £600 each, which is a mighty big investment for a village cricketer. At this price range you have a lot of different options including some handmade bats, and you will want to take care of your investment and take good care of your bat. Of course, this is always good advice when spending money on any kind of bat. How Much Should You Spend? So, as you can see from our guide, it is not necessarily a case of how much the bats cost as much as it is how much you should choose to spend on the bat. You can buy a more affordable option, or you can go all out and buy one of the elite English Willow bats. It is crucial that you consider your own needs and budget. Only you know exactly how much you should spend on the bat itself, but the good news is that with the Village Cricket Bat, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great quality bat to take with you on a Saturday.
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How To Get Into Cricket: The Complete Guide
Want to get into cricket? Maybe you’ve decided it looks like fun when watching some cricket on television. Maybe you’ve seen that local cricket clubs don’t require you to be an athlete to start playing, and want to rekindle your competitive streak. Luckily, cricket is a really accessible sport. When I moved to a new area and wanted to join the local cricket club, their casting call for players said you had to be able to eat a lot of cake to join. Bonus. In all seriousness, cricket is a great way to stay fit, a fantastic social sport, and whether you just want to watch with friends or you fancy yourself hitting a few sixes on a Saturday afternoon, our guide will help you to get into cricket. Getting Into Cricket as a Spectator This is a stage some of you might not need. You might already love watching cricket as a spectator. Alternatively, you might have seen a couple of matches and had your interest piqued. If you want to test the waters, and see if cricket is really for you, we recommend getting yourself to a couple of games in person to see the spectacle. The ideal would be to attend a T20 game. T20, the shorter, more rapid-paced version of the game, is hugely popular and won’t take up as much of your time. Some local leagues play in this format, but we recommend visiting a T20 blast game if you possibly can. The atmosphere is bound to get you hooked. If you’re interested in playing cricket at some stage, it won’t be like it is on the television, so it is a good idea to get yourself to a local game of village cricket. There is likely to be a lot of tea consumed, and a friendly atmosphere between friends and even competitors. Other recommended viewing includes some excellent television and documentaries about the game, including: Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams – A BBC documentary series about encouraging reluctant children to play the game. The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team – An Amazon Prime documentary series following the Australia cricket team. The Edge (2019) – Following the England test team between 2009 and 2013, and some of the tales of both glory and frustration that came out of this era. Understanding Cricket Let’s face it, cricket isn’t the easiest sport to understand. None of the rules are that complex on their own, but there are a lot of them. Before you explore how to get into cricket properly, you will want to understand the rules. We’ve put together some guides for you, including understanding the “no ball” and the different types of bowling in the sport. If you’re dedicated and studious, there are some brilliant books. Wisden’s The Laws of Cricket is a great example. You can also while away an afternoon or seven reading the MCC’s site, which has a full section dedicated to the rules and laws of the game. The best way to understand the rules, though, is to watch cricket. With so many nuanced, detailed rules and regulations, it is fair to say that not even every professional cricketer has read the rules or knows them inside out, and that’s okay. By watching cricket, you will get a good feel for the basic rules we all need to understand, such as the format of the game, what is allowed in bowling, how runs are counted, and how a batter gets given out. If you can watch cricket with a friend who knows the rules, even better. Just make sure they don’t get too annoyed when you keep asking them what is going on. If you’ve got 25 minutes, you can also watch this fantastic video, narrated by famous cricket fan Stephen Fry. It covers all of the basics excellently. Another quick note about the rules. If you don’t understand them fully, don’t let this get in the way of going to a training session. Most cricket clubs are so friendly, and will be happy to help you out with your understanding of the rules of the game. It is actually a good way to learn quickly how the sport works. Getting Into Cricket – Playing Cricket So, you’ve decided that you want to play cricket. Fortunately, there are still loads of opportunities and thriving cricket clubs around the country, with games often played on a Saturday. One of the wonderful things about cricket is that you don’t have to be an amazing standard to play the game, and the physical demands at village cricket level aren’t particularly high. If you’re particularly fit, you’re likely to stand out in a village cricket environment. The Equipment You will need some equipment if you are going to start playing cricket. Unfortunately, this is one of the more prohibitive aspects of the game, especially if you feel like you need to buy the top-of-the-line gear that the current international cricketers are wearing. If you go to a cricket superstore either online or in person, you’ll find yourself a bit intimidated by all of the kit. Luckily, you don’t have to buy everything. If you’re going to go and train with a club, there is a chance you may be able to borrow some equipment here and there. Also, some of the protective equipment that the professionals wear is not required for every player. The items seen as essential to most players are listed below. Once again, don’t let it put you off going to a practice session or to nets if you don’t have all this kit. A bat. Everyone in a cricket team has to bat at some stage. This is why it is a good idea to have your own bat. It’s also great to have a bat because you can organise impromptu practice sessions with your friends. Without the basic gear, this isn’t possible. Cricket bats can run upwards of £500. Fortunately, the Village Cricket Bat is an affordable alternative, that has a great pickup and doesn’t cost the earth. Balls. You don’t need loads in your personal collection, but a couple of balls means small group practice is possible. A helmet. This is another item that a club might have for you to borrow, but you will get a better fit (and have a more hygienic experience) if you are using your own. Playing with a hard cricket ball definitely requires you to wear a helmet. Gloves. Do you really need protective gloves? Well, if you’ve ever been hit on the knuckles by a cricket ball going 70 miles per hour, you will know that the answer is a resounding “yes”. Pads. There are a few types of pads and guards for cricket, but you will need quality batting pads to protect your shins and lower legs. Whites. Cricket whites are the basic clothing items you’ll wear, with trousers and a white polo top. Trainers/Spikes. Wearing trainers to practice sessions will likely be fine, but cricketers tend to wear spiked cricket shoes in a similar way to footballers wearing studded boots. It helps to gain traction and stay planted in the ground, preventing slips. Most village cricket clubs know that all this can add up to an expensive hobby. Fortunately, there are often ways to share equipment and with our affordable bats, pads, and gloves, you can save some money purchasing your own cricket equipment. Practice Never played cricket before? It can be pretty intimidating to go to your first ever training session. A lot of people are worried that they are going to embarrass themselves with no prior knowledge whatsoever. Luckily, there are some things you can do to start to build up a bit of technique, at least the very basics. The guide below shows you some England cricketers taking you through really simple and basic drills that can be useful for building up your technique in the early stages of learning to play the game. If you have a friend or two who can go to a park into your garden with you (mind the windows) to run some drills, it will make a difference when you go to your first practice session. Some techniques you can even practice completely on your own. You may get a friend to come out and provide you with some “throwdowns” meaning that they throw the ball, often from closer than where a bowler would, towards your stumps (or where they would be) and this is a great way to practice your batting technique and reactions. Finding a Club Time to find a cricket club and get going? There are a few different approaches you can take to trying to find somewhere to play. You might be surprised at how many teams there are local to you. The ECB’s “Find a Club” Feature The ECB runs its own directory of cricket clubs. You can visit the site, and put in your postcode, to see which clubs are nearby and whether they have contact details on the site. https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/find-a-club/ This is a great way to start playing cricket, and many of the clubs do have active accounts, but some don’t keep contact details updated, so it can take a little more to find your next team. Our full guide to finding a cricket club will help. Social media groups are a brilliant place to ask the question, so if you are a member of any local groups, see if there are clubs actively recruiting. This is often best done in the springtime before the season gets underway. Google is pretty good at helping you to find the clubs, too, and if you know there’s a local team that train at a certain time and place, don’t be afraid to turn up just to ask the question. Most are friendly bunches. Getting Into Cricket Luckily, it is easier than ever to get your hands on all the information you need to get into cricket, join a club, and start playing on the weekends. Nobody is saying you’re going to turn into the next cricketing superstar overnight, but it is a fun hobby for the weekends and a way to keep yourself fit and active. Many village cricketers continue until old age, and there are even senior/veteran teams in some places, so you have no restriction on how long you can play the game for. On the other end of the spectrum, children who have sparked an interest in the sport or had a go when at school can usually find great opportunities, including the All Stars Cricket scheme by the ECB.
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Best Low Middle Cricket Bat for 2025
Buying a cricket bat can get confusing if you don’t understand all of the terminology. We’re here to help. In this guide, we’re exploring what a “low-middle” means for a cricket bat, how it can impact your playing, and what the best low middle cricket bats on the market can do for you. The Village Cricket Bat – Low Middle Bat For Village Cricketers Buy the Village Cricket Bat – Only £117 We’re going to share a couple of options of bats with a low middle in this guide, but we know that the majority of people searching aren’t looking for a bat that costs them a fortune. Luckily, you can get a bat that has a low profile without spending the earth, and our solid bat is made to help you hit boundaries and provide an accomplice for years to come. An Affordable Bat Our bat is one of the most affordable options on the market that still manages to do a professional job season after season. To find a high-grade bat for under £120 is rare. The Village Cricket Bat is perfect for the beginner or the village club legend who has been there for 30 seasons, it’s also ideal for putting in the kit bag as a “club bat” when someone inevitably forgets theirs. A lot of low-middle bats will cost you over £400 if you opt for English Willow and other brands and manufacturers. By steering clear of endorsing any cricketers and passing on the savings to customers, The Village Cricket Co. can keep prices lower than the competition. Solid Willow Construction One of the reasons why this cricket bat is so much more affordable is the fact that it is made out of Kashmir Willow. This is the exact same Salix Alba willow that is grown in England, but this has been grown in India. This type of wood has a slightly different character to the English, just because of the way it has been grown. Indian conditions tend to make a denser and darker wood, but it is just as solid as English wood, if not moreso. This means it can give the ball a real tap. Alternative – GM L555 GMX Original Cricket Bat An English Willow alternative is the GM L555 cricket bat, which has a slightly low middle, and is designed for pickup. With an RRP that isn’t far off £500, you can see how this bat could be out of reach for the standard village cricketer. It’s definitely an option for those who are making their living out of cricket. This bat is made out of Grade One English Willow, so only the finest materials. It’s available in two different weights to suit what you prefer, either 2lb 9oz or 2lb 10oz. So, it’s virtually identical in weight to the Village Cricket Bat. It features a “mid-low middle” as the manufacturers describe it, and large, pronounced edges. It has both a toe guard and anti-scuff sheet already fitted, and undeniably this is a great bat for hitting some serious distance. The GM brand is well-established and used by a number of professionals, so it is certainly not cheap to buy from their range. If you’ve got the money to spend and want something that can suit a front foot player in England then this could certainly be an option for you. On the other hand, if you don’t have a spare £400 or so knocking around to buy a bat for your Saturday morning knockabout with your mates, you can get a bat with a low-middle for less, that will last you for many seasons to come if you take good care of it. What Does “Low Middle” Mean? A cricket bat (or at least, a well-made cricket bat) will have a sweet spot. This means the area of the bat where it feels strongest. If you hit the ball off the sweet spot then it will absolutely fly. The sweet spot is situated within the middle of the bat. So when we talk about a “low middle” or you hear a cricket bat manufacturer describe their product this way, they mean that the sweet spot is lower than it is on the majority of bats. The strongest contact with the ball is made lower down on the bat. Why Does it Matter? The middle of your bat has an impact. Finding a low middle cricket bat may suit the conditions in which you’re playing, as well as the style of play you have as a cricketer, whether you’re a top-order blocker or a middle-order slogger. Cricketers will find that they have their own preference, but this is largely informed by the type of pitch on which you’re playing your cricket at the weekends. What’s Best For English Pitches? Yes, you’ve guessed it…low middle cricket bats are best for English pitches in almost all scenarios, especially when playing at village level. The English conditions tend to mean a “low and slow” bounce. Whereas if you were playing in Australia the ball might zip up off the surface and even feel like it gains pace, this doesn’t tend to happen on an English pitch. Especially one that doesn’t have a full-time groundsman. So, the low-middle design of the bat, such as The Village Cricket Bat, is very deliberate. It means that you can get more pickup, and as a front-foot player you can absolutely clobber the ball if you get hold of it. A higher middle would usually mean that you make worse contact with the ball. What Players Can Benefit From Low Middle Bats? In English conditions, low middle cricket bats can benefit most players, but particularly those who like to play on the front foot and hit their shots. More of a Jos Buttler than an Alastair Cook? A low middle could help you. Low Middle – Perfect for big-hitters and those looking to muster that extra bit of power in their game. Mid Profile – A middle-ground with no real preference based on style of play, but may be a little high for a low and slow English bounce. High Middle – Rare to see, though they may suit a defensive player. In English conditions, we don’t recommend using one. What is Most Popular? Around the world, the most popular type of bat is that with a mid profile. A “middle middle” if that isn’t too confusing a way to put it! However, as we’ve explained already, many bat manufacturers are turning to low-middle bats as they realise how much better they can perform on English pitches. If you’re an absolute beginner, they may also provide you with that little bit of a helping hand, providing you with better contact and helping you to get the ball moving as a batter.
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The Best Pre-Knocked In Cricket Bat for 2025
If you’re new to playing cricket, “knocking-in” your bat might be a bit of a mystery. It’s an essential part of your bat maintenance, to keep your cricket bat performing well and prevent it from damage. In this guide, we’re discussing the concept of knocking in and why it is important. We’re also looking at ready to play cricket bats that don’t need you to do anything before you take to the pitch. This is a great solution for beginners. Why Knocking-In is Important Bats perform better when they have been knocked in. By knocking the bat with a small mallet repeatedly, it stops the bat from breaking easily. It is a way to compress the fibres and prepare the bat for the sort of punishment it will be taking from a cricket ball. Knocking-in can take a while. It’s not something you should rush and you need to be thorough. Otherwise, the bat might get damaged. It certainly won’t help you to hit those sweet cover drives if it hasn’t been knocked in. You should knock in a bat after any prolonged period of time when it isn’t used. What it Involves Before knocking in the bat at all, you need to apply linseed oil. 2-3 tablespoons, evenly spread across the bat. Then leave it for 24 hours. After this, a bat mallet (a specific piece of kit for this job) can be “knocked” all over the bat. Gently at first, building up slightly more pressure. Marks and indentations are normal, so don’t panic. When you have done the whole of the face of the bat, you should notice the mallet doesn’t leave any marks on the bat anymore. If you don’t have a bat mallet, you might want to use a cricket ball inside a sock, or a couple of socks. This gives a similar effect. You need to knock in the toe of the bat, as well as the edges. However, you can’t just take a mallet to them in the same way. This risks damage. Instead, use your mallet or improvised ball in a sock to recreate the sort of blows the bat would actually take while you play cricket. Flick the edges and the toe from the front, rather than side-on. If you think you have finished the process, try bouncing an old ball on the bat. If it leaves seam marks then you need to knock it in again. Another 20-30 minutes might be needed. This process can take 3-4 hours in total, so you can see why people are looking for bats that come pre-knocked in. Benefits of Pre-Knocked In Cricket Bats If you are a beginner, you don’t want to risk doing anything wrong and causing damage to your bat. Imagine the frustration of buying a bat, and then almost immediately breaking it by knocking it in incorrectly, or failing to do so thoroughly. Benefits of a pre-knocked in bat include: It is done by someone with experience. If you have never knocked in a bat before then you won’t know exactly what you are doing. You shouldn’t risk it with your new bat. It takes the time and hassle away from you. Including the oiling of a bat, this is a process that takes more than 24 hours. It’s far better if you don’t have to worry about it. It doesn’t have to cost more. As you will see below, knocking in can come included in the price of your bat. The Village Cricket Bat – An Affordable Solution If you are looking for an affordable bat that comes pre-knocked in then The Village Cricket Bat could be your answer. The Village Cricket Co. developed this bat to be your ideal companion on English village cricket pitches. Low middle – by giving the bat a low middle, it copes better with the slow, low bounce of an English pitch. Most cricketers score more runs and make better contact with the ball as a result of this. It’s 2lb 9oz – this makes the bat a good choice for beginners and experienced players. It’s not too heavy for those players who don’t have an abundance of power, nor is it too light to make great contact and hit six after six. In fact, 2lb 9oz is the most common weight for a bat in the UK. No professional chasing – the Village Cricket Co. doesn’t chase professionals by giving them freebies or trying to get them to endorse the bat. This is an expensive activity a lot of bat manufacturers do as part of their marketing. A bat that’s built to last – did you know that some cricket bats are actually designed to break? This is due to the willow used. It means that players have to replace their bat more often. The Village Cricket Bat uses Salix Alba willow. This will last for many seasons if you treat the bat with a little care and attention. Pre-knocked in – This is a ready to play cricket bat. The Village Cricket Bat is shipped to you having been knocked in at no additional cost. You don’t have to get a friend to help you, or take it to a sports store and ask if they can do it. You can head straight to the nets and start hitting some balls, safe in the knowledge you have a sturdy bat to back you up. The Village Cricket Bat is an all-rounder, perfect for having in the kit bag, or as the club bat for a local village cricket team. Though you might not see it used at the ashes, this is built to last and allows you play to your heart’s content. You won’t have to knock it in until it spends a prolonged period not being used, and there is no extra charge. We believe the bat should be ready to use when you get it.
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How to Oil a Cricket Bat: The Complete Guide
Cricket bats need some TLC from time-to-time. To keep your bat in top condition, there are a few basic skills that you need to learn. When people think of bat maintenance, they usually think of “knocking-in”. This is part of the process, but oiling comes first. In this guide, we look at how to oil a cricket bat correctly to ensure that you can get a season of use out of it. Why Do We Oil Cricket Bats? This isn’t a vanity thing like waxing your car. Oiling a cricket bat serves a functional purpose. If you spend long enough out in the middle then your bat will see a lot of sunlight. This can dry the bat out. Over time, it becomes much more likely to crack and split, and this can mean hundreds of pounds down the drain. Oiling a bat helps to prevent the dryness that can turn your expensive bat into kindling. What Oil Should I Use? Getting your hands on some oil is the first step. You will be using raw linseed oil to treat the bat. Linseed oil keeps the bat’s fibres bound and performing at their best, and keeps the bat strong. You can buy linseed oil from a sports shop, where it will be branded as “bat oil” or something similar. However, if it is cheaper to buy at a DIY store then this is perfectly fine, too. Linseed oil is commonly used on other wood products such as furniture, so it isn’t hard to find. When Should I Oil My Bat? It’s possible to over oil a bat. This makes the bat too moist and doesn’t provide the right “crack” off the willow. Most people agree that once a season (in between seasons) is the right time to oil your bat. You shouldn’t need to do it again until the next off-season. Once a calendar year is fine, as long as the bat is kept in good condition in the meantime. If it appears to be getting particularly dry then you might need to bring forward the oiling. Most people oil and knock-in their bat in the same couple of days. Doing it yourself is a great way to save some money, but you can also choose to pay someone to do it. Sports shops usually have someone who can oil and knock-in your bat if you aren’t confident. How to Oil Your Bat Apply 2-3 teaspoons of oil to the face of the bat. You can use an old piece of rag but it doesn’t matter if you use your fingers. Make sure you don’t oil the splice, or within a CM of the splice. The oil should cover the face of the bat, the edges, the heel, and about 4 CM from the edges on the back of the bat. Covering the whole back can cause the bat to feel flat and dead. Lay the bat face upwards on a surface, in a dry area. If you can, put something under the bat to stop it tipping, as the oil can drain from one edge this way. If all of the oil has been absorbed 24 hours later, you can add a little bit more. Repeat this process until it’s not soaking up any more oil. Wipe off the remaining oil and you’re ready for knocking-in. Knocking-in is the process of using a mallet to gradually “knock” the bat, compressing the fibres and keeping it in a strong condition. Once you’ve knocked-in a bat (you can follow our guide for knocking-in, too) then it is a good idea to take the bat out and hit some balls. Use older, softer balls to start with to check that all is well with your freshly oiled bat. At The End of The Season When the end of the season rolls around, you can sand your bat. This should be done very lightly. It’s a way to prepare the bat for the oiling and knocking-in process that you will do before the next season starts. Use 180-220 grit sandpaper to very cautiously sand the face, edges, and the heel of the bat. All you are trying to do is remove any dirt, marks, or splinters. Keep it in a bat cover while you aren’t using it, until your bat is ready to be taken out and prepped for the next season once more. A little maintenance can go a long way. Most village cricketers have to learn some level of bat care, but luckily, with the Village Cricket Bat, you don’t have to spend hours oiling and knocking in before you even start playing. In between seasons, follow our guide on how to oil a bat ready for all those hours out in the middle racking up the runs (or in the shed wondering where it all went wrong).
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Cricket Bat Weight Guide: What Should You Get?
When you’re buying a cricket bat, there are a lot of different considerations, and if you’ve never purchased one before then having a cricket bat weight guide can help you to work out how hefty a bat you should go for. In this guide, we explain different weights of bats, and what tends to count as lightweight, heavyweight, and midweight in terms of cricket bats. The weight is one of the determining factors in a batter’s style of play and how they hit the ball, and there is plenty to think about before you take the plunge. The difference between bats can mean the difference between hitting 4s and hitting singles. How Much Does a Cricket Bat Weigh? The rules of the game dictate that there are certain dimensions and weights of bat that can be used. “The length of the bat may be no more than 38 in (965 mm), the width no more than 4.25 in (108 mm), the overall depth no more than 2.64 in (67 mm) and edge no more than 1.56 in (40 mm).” There’s no standard weight for bats, but because of the density of wood, combined with the standardized sizes of bats, they normally weigh between 2lb 7oz and 3lb. Does Bat Weight Matter? Bat weight undeniably makes a difference, but there is always something subjective about the feel of a bat. If you go into a cricket equipment shop or visit a bat manufacturer, you can pick up two different bat models that are actually the same weight and find that they feel totally different. Different density of willow can lead to a slight variation in bat weights and how they feel, and how they play, of course. There are even some subtle differences you may never have considered before. Did you know that once you add labels and a grip to your bat it can even be a couple of ounces heavier? The truth is that if you play for an hour with a 2lb 9oz bat and a 2lb 11oz bat, you probably won’t find that one has a significantly heavier feel in general, but the bats will play slightly differently. It’s likely that you will develop a favourite. Bat Weight and Playing Style As with a lot of the aspects of cricket bats, making your decision is largely about a balancing act. The size and weight of cricket bat should suit the style you are trying to emulate. Pretty much every batter is looking for a balance, which means a bat that is light enough to play for long periods without tiring, and to be able to access 360 hitting while you are at the crease, but also a bat that is heavy enough to help you with your power. An extremely lightweight bat would really struggle to hit sixes, so if you consider yourself a power-hitter, you need a bat that is at least fairly heavy. People are constantly searching for a bat that has enough power, but also is flexible enough so that you can jam your bat down to defend a yorker or be flexible enough to play some stylish reverse sweeps without feeling like you’re carrying the shopping in from the car. Batters all have their own build, and they all have their own technique. This means that bat weight is just one part of the equation. When you hear people talk about cricket bat weights, you will hear a few different terms. The ‘dead weight’ is how much the bat weighs when you put it on the scales. Nothing subjective about it, just the cold hard facts of how heavy the bat is. You’ll also hear people talk about the ‘pick up’ of a bat. This is about how the bat feels when you are playing. A bat with a good pick up makes it feel like it is lightweight and flexible even though it’s a hefty piece of willow. Factors that impact this include the design of the bat, its curvature, and the handle, which is a factor in how the weight is distributed. Cricket Bat Weights and Sizes – Smaller Sized Bats There are a number of different cricket bats suiting different sizes of players. Naturally, a six year old taking their first steps into the world of cricket will need a much smaller bat than an adult. In terms of adult sizes, there tend to be two options, the SH and LH bats, meaning Short Handle and Long Handle. The bat weight difference will only be a couple of ounces in the majority of cases. The biggest non-adult size is the Harrow size, which is again a few ounces lighter than the average SH bat. Children’s sizes from 1-6 can be significantly lighter, as they are designed for younger people to be able to play the sport as they are still developing their strength. The manufacturing process, and the fact that wood is a natural substance, with natural variation in density, means that the weight can vary a little. If you buy a bat that is advertised as 2lb 9oz and it is a tiny bit off this, don’t worry too much. The pickup, shape, and quality of wood make more of a difference than these tiny and subtle variations. The Village Cricket Bat – Our Chosen Bat Weight Our SH adult cricket bat weighs 2lb 9oz. This sits just on the light side of midweight, but with a dense Salix Alba willow and a brilliant low sweet spot, you can hit as far as with many heavyweight bats. The Village Cricket Bat can suit both front foot and back foot players, and proves you don’t have to have a 3lb bat to make the big shots. We find this weight to be the perfect middle ground. It has the power to play on the front foot and to hit some big sixes, but it also allows you to play defensive shots and nimbly reach all corners of the ground (assuming you have the skills to do so.) How is The Village Cricket Bat So Affordable? At the Village Cricket Co., we’ve deliberately stayed away from sponsorship and chasing professionals. A lot of brands spend money going after professionals and pass on the cost of this sponsorship to the consumers. The Village Cricket Bat can do a great job at a lower price than many of the bats you’ll see being used by the pros, and the Salix Alba willow is the same as English willow, just grown in bigger volume in India. This is the same material as many bats used by Sachin Tendulkar throughout his career, so needless to say the “Kashmir” willow is up there with any other wood used for bats.
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