Your guide to choosing a new bat - Part 1

We've teamed up with our friends at Cricket-Box to bring you the essentials to picking your new bat.
Cricket-Box offer you the best cricketing products available at affordable prices. They don't want to offer you a plank with the best shiny sticker on it, just because it is endorsed by some so-called superstar. So here's some help...

About bats

It is widely accepted amongst good cricketers and good bat manufacturers that a bat is a tool of the trade, its raw materials are naturally grown and not man made. Many bats originate from clefts grown on the willow plantation at J S Wrights in Chelmsford, England. J S Wrights have a continuing re-generation programme which is the best in the industry. Each year three times as many trees are planted than are cut down. J S Wrights is the reason there is no shortage of English willow in the market today and why there will be no shortage in the future.
There are only six species of willow used for cricket bats, the most suitable variety is salix alba 'caerulea' because it is tough, lightweight and doesn't splinter easily.
A good bat is produced by craftsmen and their aim is to combine excellent hitting power with durability. The combination is not always, if at all easy. Softer pressed bats tend to "go better' but are even more likely to crack. The harder pressed bats last longer but often hitting power is compromised. The bat makers' aim is to strike a balance between the two to make the best all round cricket bat.

Bat choice and bat preparation

In our opinion, ALL bats should be 'knocked-in' prior to use. We recommend even pre-knocked-in bats are given at least a further 2 hours preparation, using either a specialist bat mallet or an old, soft leather ball in a sock.  Bats that are not 'knocked-in' by the manufacturer require between 4-6 hours preparation prior to use , although this may vary, as every bat is different. The bat manufacturers own web site usually provides excellent advice on this. Remember you cannot over 'knock-in' a new bat (or an old one). Most bats performance improves during the 'knocking-in' process. We also recommend that new bats are not used against cheap, hard, imported leather cricket balls as these could damage your newly purchased bat. The best preparation is facing throw downs with softer, older balls and practice balls on a bowling machine. Please treat your new bat with respect because if not your bat will not respect your pocket! 

About willow grades

Starter and particularly smaller Junior size bats tend to utilise lower priced Kashmir Willow. This is harder and therefore more resilient but generally gives less ball striking satisfaction and may be heavier. At Cricket-box our aim is to offer even our smallest cricketers a choice of willow, including Kashmir Willow and English Willow cricket bats.

Below is a guide which you may find useful when comparing cricket bats.

Grade 1 plus - G1+ The very best of English willow, often reserved for the manufacturers own Pro Players and utilised in such bats described as Limited Edition, Ultimate, or SPS. Unbleached with straight even grains and absolute minimal marking or discolouration in the face. 

Grade 1 - G1 Top quality English Willow. Good straight grain structure and unbleached with minimal marking or discolouration in the face.

Grade 2 - G2 Unbleached English Willow with some irregular grain patterning and some minor blemishes and possible reddening in the blade.

Grade 3 - G3 Usually unbleached English Willow with irregular grain pattern and some marking and discolouration in the blade.

Grade 4 - G4 English Willow usually bleached and often non oil with a covering to the face of the bat.