Different Shades Of Wood: How To Choose The Best Cricket Bat

By Author: Ravinder
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Different shades of wood: How to choose the best Cricket Bat


We Indians have a knack for the game of Cricket. The game was invented in England but we can say that the modern day game of cricket has been most affected by us Indians. We have given it a new flavour. The testimony of the above fact is the IPL which has been the source of the popularity of the T20 format.


Let’s get down straight to brass tacks. In today’s blog, we will highlight the method to choose the right kind of cricket bat. Why this is important is because a large number of people play with the wrong type and size of the bat. All this is very harmful to their game and skill development. So we thought to write up this blog.


The Right Weight


The best bat will be the one having a huge profile and is at the same time light in weight, but such bats are very hard to find. If you go for a light bat then you may have to compromise on the thickness and the edge profile, but don’t worry as it is not a very serious issue. Go with a bat that is of medium weight so that you are able to ...
... carry it comfortably.
This is important with respect to hitting the ball better and at the right time. Remember that it is always the “pick up” that will matter against the dead weight. By pick up we mean the feel of the bat in your hand and at play. The pickup will always be different for every bat.

The Right Shape


These days’ companies develop bats according to different styles of play and conditions. The three different types of shapes of bat are low, medium and high. This is in reference to the position of the sweet spot, which is a large bulge at the end of your bat.


A high position of the sweet spot i.e. up towards the handle is what a traditional Australian bat is. A high position of the sweet spot makes the bat easier to pick and feel light in weight. It is meant for bouncy pitches.


The medium position is for an all-rounder. It is well suited for those who love to hit drives. This type of position offers a good balance point, allowing you to hit a variety of shots.


The low position is suited for Indian pitches because the pitch here is not that bouncy. This is also suited if you have an attacking style of play. A low sweet spot provides the maximum power to the shot.


Choosing the Right Material


Mainly there are two types of willow used to make bats: English and Kashmir willow.


Kashmir Willow: This type of wood is more economical as compared to its English counterpart. It is much harder and brittle and is thus not that performance oriented as the English one. Choose this if you are playing for fun and don’t have that high a budget.


English Willow: This is the preferred choice of a majority of batsman. It is soft, fibrous and better when it comes to delivery of good shots and performance. It gives an awesome rebound to the ball. When choosing the wood look for the wood that is compressed against the one that is shaved. A good wood will give a better bounce to the bat.


Grain profile


Having decided to buy the English willow there is still much work left to be done as there many different types of English willow depending on the grain size and density. The three mentioned below are the most proffered ones.


Grade 1: This is the best that there is to be offered. This type offers the densest grain size of 9 to 12 grains with a clear grain profile. You can easily distinguish the bat as free from any marks and knots and having an evenly distributed grain profile. If you are a pro then settle for nothing less than the best.


Grade 2: It has a grain density of 6 to 8 grains. A little less grain density might give the bat an uneven grain profile but there is no considerable decrease when it comes to performance. Go for it if you are an advanced level player.


Grade 3: When choosing this type of wood, be somewhat more careful. You need to check the bat for proper balance, stroke and ping. The grain size in this wood will be unevenly distributed and it may have more blemish appeal.


The Top Three Bats


Having gone through every important aspect it’s time to know what different types of brands to choose from. You can visit our Online Sports Store India to choose from a huge collection of bats according to your needs and budget. We have handpicked the top three bats for you:


1) Kookaburra is the most popular brand which is known for making lightweight bats with premium English willow. They generally come in low to mid sweet spot position. If you are an all-rounder then go for the Kookaburra brand. The most popular Kookaburra bat is the Kahuna 150 which is meant for intermediate players.


2) The next bat is the Adidas Incurza. The bat features an awesome profile which flows down an increased bow and middle. The bat is known for its top class pick up and balance providing great edges.


3) Gunn & Moore is known for their excellent English willow. The GM brand has the most technologically advanced R&D facility in the world. It is also one of the oldest bat making companies in the world. Although every bat that they make is awesome in every respect but if you have the budget then go for the GM Icon.


Remember that a Cricket Bat is the most fundamental aspect of the game of cricket. Take time to research properly and don’t choose on what you like or hate but what will be best for you in the long run. After all, a batman’s only best friend is his cricket bat!!