Every cricket bat is made from one of two woods, and the difference explains most of the price gap you see in a sports shop. English willow is softer, lighter for its size and gives more rebound — it is what professionals use. Kashmir willow is denser, harder and considerably more durable, at a fraction of the cost.
For school cricket, club cricket, junior players and anyone who is not being paid to bat, Kashmir willow is the sensible choice. It takes far more abuse, it does not need the same careful knocking-in regime, and it costs a fraction of what an English willow bat does.
Cricket bat size guide
Bat size goes by the player's height, not their age. A bat that is too long forces a player to reach and stops them getting their weight into the shot; too short and they crouch.
- Size 5 — player height approx. 144–150cm (roughly ages 9–11)
- Size 6 — player height approx. 150–157cm (roughly ages 11–13)
- Full Size — player height approx. 168cm and above (roughly age 15 to adult)
The simple in-store test: stand the bat upright next to the player. The top of the handle should reach roughly to the top of their hip. Then have them take a normal stance — the bat should sit comfortably behind the back foot without them reaching or hunching.
Resist the urge to buy a size up so a child grows into it. An oversized bat actively teaches poor technique, because the child compensates by adjusting their whole stance around a bat they cannot control.
Knocking in and preparation
Kashmir willow needs less preparation than English willow, but it still benefits from being knocked in. The process compresses the fibres in the face so the bat does not crack the first time it meets a hard cricket ball.
Apply a thin coat of raw linseed oil to the face, edges and toe — thin, not soaked, and never on the splice or the labels. Leave it overnight. Then work the face and edges with a bat mallet or an old ball for a few hours spread across several sessions, paying particular attention to the edges and the toe. Start with soft throwdowns before facing anything at full pace.
Looking after it
Store the bat somewhere dry and moderate. A car boot in a Durban summer, or anywhere hot, dries the willow and makes it brittle. Damp is equally bad.
Check the toe regularly — that is where bats fail, usually from being tapped on wet ground. A toe guard is worth adding if the bat gets school-season volume. Fit an anti-scuff face sheet to extend the life considerably, and re-oil lightly at the start of each season. Pair with batting leg guards and a helmet for a complete batting kit.
