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[raymond.2]

I have found that suitability largely depends of the standard of cricket played.

Against real quick bowlers it is essential to have a bat that you can wield with relative ease, as reaction times are much less.

I believe this is why big guys like Flintoff and Pietersen used/use bats around 2.8. Obviously they could use much heavier bats as they are built like brick (No Swearing Please) houses but against the sort of bowlers they faced the ability to react in time is more important.

I use a bat currently that is bit too heavy for me, but im not playing at a very high standard so find it doesnt really matter. If you can just get on the front foot to drive and even pull bowlers then it will be fine, in this case using a slightly heavier bat can even help. Ive found that on occasions ive faced a bowler who can test me out,either through pace or movement,  that the bat then feels to heavy for me.

[roco]

It's what makes you feel confident as look at kp usually 2lb10 then same size guy gayle uses 3lb2 in no small part to the way they play ie gayle very still smooth swing but kp swings the bat round a lot which he could not do with a 3lb monster

Then there is the enigma that is sachin 5ft nothing not hugely built (but apparently wrists like most peoples biceps) and used a 3lb bat most of his career

The mentality of it is a major factor as if you percieve a bat to be heavy because of an extra oz it will feel like a log

[Village Trundler]

not when the bat is is starting around waist height.
the issue isn't the bat coming down it is being able to control the bat and get it to move in the direction you want it too.
Have a look how late the stig was with the 3lbs Icon on the recent bat test - it was fine with a gentle half volly, but he missed loads of shots with it - because he was late.
It is the first bat in this sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EZ5Kej9uJs&list=UUuA9Stqe7YaMXPRLY0I1Z2g&index=13&feature=plcp

I think this is fairly subjective though........ I usually use around 2'14, but was given a pair of 2'9 mongoose as a gift..... It took me about 4 net sessions to middle anything. Doesn't mean it was too light for me, now I can use it with much more control than my old bats. I've also seen people buy huge heavy bats and struggle at first, but then improve. It's all about knowing the bat well enough to let instinct play the shot.

I really think people should experiment with all weights to work out what's for them, and I don't mean playing for 10 or 15 balls.

[Joe]

I think it's quite easy to adjust, 4 or 5 months ago I used a 2lb 7oz bat and found anything over 2lb 9oz cumbersome, but now by using a heavier bat for a couple of net sessions, I find using a lighter bat hard and matchsticky.

[Number4]

It's all about muscle memory. Just like playing guitar when you first start your fingers don't go where you want them too and you are slow at changing chords but after awhile muscle memory kicks in and it happens naturally

[awp]

Also personal style as someone mentioned before. I don't know what weight Lara used, but with a backlift like his I imagine he used a relatively light bat. A  short backlift punch style batter could use heavier bats.

I would love to see how hard Robin Smith in his prime would hit a cut with today's bats, the point fielder would need to wear a box.