Going to the shops to buy a new junior cricket bat, is one of the most exciting things a young cricketer can do. We all look forward to it and I still get goosebumps buying a cricket bat now!
However, it is vitally important that you purchase the right cricket bat, especially for juniors who are still developing.
In this blog, we look at what you should consider when choosing your new junior cricket bat.
Buying a new junior cricket bat is an exciting time but it is incredibly important that you select the right size bat to maximise performance. In this video, Richard and Neil explain the key considerations you must take into account when choosing your next junior cricket bat including; selecting the right size and weight junior bat. English willow vs Kashmir willow.
As with most purchases, you will also need to have a budget in mind before you start shopping for a new junior cricket bat. That will always be your starting point and you can find more details on the price of junior cricket bats here - How Much Should You Spend On A Junior Cricket Bat?
In this blog, we will take a look at three key considerations. Firstly, the bat will need to be the right size. Second, the bat needs to be made of the right type of willow for the level of cricket you are playing, and thirdly the weight of the bat should also be considered.
Junior cricket bats come in different sizes starting at size 0 and going through to a harrow size.
Just before junior cricketers graduate into a full-size cricket bat (short handle), several manufacturers offer a small men’s or academy bat size option to help bridge that gap between a harrow and a full-size bat.
| Size Of Bat | Length Of Bat | Typical Height Of Player | Typical Age Of Player |
| 1 | 27 inches | 4ft - 4ft 3in | 4-5 yrs |
| 2 | 28 inches | 4ft 3in - 4ft 6in | 6-7 yrs |
| 3 | 29 inches | 4ft 6in - 4ft 9in | 8 yrs |
| 4 | 30 inches | 4ft 9in - 4ft 11in | 9-10 yrs |
| 5 | 31 inches | 4ft 11in - 5ft 2in | 10-11 yrs |
| 6 | 32 inches | 5ft 2in - 5ft 4in | 12-13 yrs |
| Harrow | 33 inches | 5ft 4in - 5ft 8in | 13-15 yrs |
Top Tip: As a rough guide, if you hold the bat in the middle of the grip then the top of the cricket bat handle should break the wrist where you wear a watch. It can be a little lower, but certainly not higher.
There are three types of willow used in the making of Junior cricket bats; Kashmir willow, European willow, and English willow:
Kashmir willow is a hardwood that can be dense and heavy, and these bats are best used against a softball and not a cricket bat.
These cricket bats are perfect for junior cricketers who are just starting and who are using softball only. Kashmir willow is also the cheapest junior cricket bat available.
These bats are new to the market and can be used in both softball and hardball cricket.
Although they are unlikely to last as long as English willow bats when playing hardball cricket, European willow bats can offer excellent performance at a cheaper price point.
Another plus is that European willow is drier and so the bat profiles tend to be bigger compared to English willow. This means manufacturers can offer junior cricket bats with bigger edges whilst maintaining a lightweight feel.
This is a perfect cricket bat for those junior cricketers who are transitioning from softball cricket to hardball cricket. They are a cheaper alternative to English willow but can still offer excellent performance against a hard ball.
These bats have been around since the dawn of the game and are the best hard-ball cricket bat that you can buy. English willow bats come in different grades with the lowest being grade 4 and the highest and best performing, grade 1.
English willow cricket bats are for those junior cricketers who are playing regular hardball cricket either at a club or county level. The level of grade/performance you go for will be dictated by several factors such as; budget, discipline (batter, bowler, all-rounder) and standard of cricket. Below, we have given you some examples:
If you are a club or school player playing hardball - we recommend you look for a European willow bat or an English Willow grade 2/3 bat.
If you play Junior age group representative cricket and will be playing with a hard ball - we recommend you look for a Grade 1 English willow bat.
Whilst most junior cricket bats will sit within a weight bracket per size, there may be some variations between brands and so the weight of the cricket bat does need to be considered.
If a bat is too heavy for a junior cricketer, they won’t be able to manoeuvre the bat effectively and are likely to be unsuccessful.
Top Tip - Ask your young cricketer to pick up the bat in their top hand (left hand for a right-handed batter) and see if they can hold it out straight (shoulder high) for 15 seconds. If they can do that, the weight is about right for them. If they are shaking and struggling, it may be that the bat is too heavy and you should consider an alternative.
Finding a junior cricket bat that is the right size, the right type of willow and the right weight will allow your junior cricketer to flourish. Hopefully, you are now armed with all the information you need to make an informed decision when it comes to buying that junior cricket bat.
If you would like any more information, you can contact us via email (chris@serioussport.co.uk) or phone (01256 398633).
