Cricket Bat Buying & Grades Guide

The right bat starts with a suitable size and a comfortable pick-up. Grade and grain pattern matter, but they do not tell you everything about how an individual bat will feel.

Start with size and pick-up

Choose a bat you can control comfortably in your normal stance and backlift. A heavier bat is not automatically a better bat. If you are choosing for a junior, use their current fit and strength rather than age alone, and ask for advice before sizing up.

Looking for size 5, size 6 or harrow? Ask us about junior availability. Check the size on each listing rather than assuming every bat in a search result is a junior bat.

Raw weight and finished weight

A raw weight is measured before some or all finishing items have been fitted. Grips, stickers and protection add weight, so a raw figure is not the final playing weight. Check the wording on the listing and ask for the finished weight if that is important to your choice.

Two bats at the same weight can pick up differently because of their shape and balance. Tell us what you currently use and what you would like to change.

What do cricket bat grades mean?

English willow is graded partly by its appearance and natural characteristics. Higher grades generally have a cleaner appearance, but grade names and standards vary between suppliers. A grade is not a promise of how many runs a bat will score or how long it will last.

Grade 2 and Grade 3 bats can both be sensible options for club cricket. Look at the exact bat's photos, size, weight and condition alongside its grade. Grain count alone is not a reliable way to compare every bat.

English willow describes the wood; it does not by itself tell you where a bat was made. Ask us if the manufacturing origin of a particular bat matters to your purchase.

Look at the individual bat

On our individually numbered listings, the photographs show the bat you will receive. Check the face, edges, back and toe, then read the profile and condition notes. If you would like another view, quote the bat number when you contact us.

Check preparation before playing

Confirm what preparation has already been carried out and what is still needed for your particular bat. Knocking-in and gradual use help prepare the blade, but do not make willow unbreakable. Follow the advice supplied with your bat rather than assuming it is ready for unrestricted match use.

If you need help preparing a bat, read about our knocking-in service.

New bat or repair?

If you like your current bat but it is damaged or feels too heavy, an assessment may be a useful first step. See our repair and refurbishment options or ask about weight reduction.

Browse English willow cricket bats or ask Lewis for help choosing.