Topic: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player? (Read 3850 times)

High Elbow · « **on:** October 08, 2014, 03:29:15 PM »

Dear All,

I have just today joined the forum - so thank you for letting me - as it looks very unusual and interesting!

I have a general question about bats.

I am 39 years old, 6'3", and weigh under 11 stone, so very slim (but not a weakling). I have been playing cricket only for the last 3-4 years for a local non-league team, but only this year have I decided to take it seriously, bought my own bat and had some coaching. The coach says I am too hunched over in stance and not really using my height and reach to drive the ball. He suggested I get a Long Handle or even Long Handle + Long Blade bat. I have been to quite a few shops and they apparently don't really stock them these days (which surprised me as there must be plenty of players around my height).

So I am therefore looking at a custom bat.

Can anyone suggest the best length, shape and weight bat for someone of my build? I currently use a Kookaburra Kahuna (SH, about 2 lbs 7 oz).

And can anyone suggest a good maker? I live in London and have an outside budget of about �200.

Many thanks,

Ben

JB · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2014, 03:43:28 PM »

Red Ink have some good offers on at the moment. I think Aldred have as well. There are plenty of people on here who will be able to make something to your specifications

Silver Bullet · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2014, 04:07:42 PM »

Quote from: High Elbow on October 08, 2014, 03:29:15 PM

Dear All,

I have just today joined the forum - so thank you for letting me - as it looks very unusual and interesting!

I have a general question about bats.

I am 39 years old, 6'3", and weigh under 11 stone, so very slim (but not a weakling). I have been playing cricket only for the last 3-4 years for a local non-league team, but only this year have I decided to take it seriously, bought my own bat and had some coaching. The coach says I am too hunched over in stance and not really using my height and reach to drive the ball. He suggested I get a Long Handle or even Long Handle + Long Blade bat. I have been to quite a few shops and they apparently don't really stock them these days (which surprised me as there must be plenty of players around my height).

So I am therefore looking at a custom bat.

Can anyone suggest the best length, shape and weight bat for someone of my build? I currently use a Kookaburra Kahuna (SH, about 2 lbs 7 oz).

And can anyone suggest a good maker? I live in London and have an outside budget of about �200.

Many thanks,

Ben

You should be able to find a long blade pretty easily off the rack. I have mates that buy both long handle and long blades pretty regularly.

tim2000s · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2014, 04:08:38 PM »

As a 6'5" player, let me help with some advice.

I started using LHLB bats, but I only have one of these, because, while it is a lovely bat, I find the weight distribution odd, and was holding it low down the handle. I have since moved to a LB bat, and find that the balance on these suits me very well. Dependent on your location, I'd be happy to meet up so you could get a feel for how these are balanced.

The other point I would suggest is to stand in your stance when waiting for the delivery with your bat already lifted behind you (much like the Gooch stance). At the level you are playing, this shouldn't cause you a problem, and you can then stand upright in your stance and not be hunched over. You don't need to (and indeed shouldn't) lean on your cricket bat like a crutch when waiting for a delivery.

What I would say is that you will struggle to get a LB at 2lb 7oz without forking out for a very low density cleft. You may want to talk to B3 about this as they have a few at the moment, but these are far from cheap. I do have a Hunts County long blade which is heavier than you like, but was got through Jake, and with your budget and Jake's relationship with Tony, I think you could probably get something very good, but you should talk to Jake if you want to take this approach.

arsenal123 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2014, 04:17:13 PM »

I'll just clarify for you, Jake is Vitas Cricket... �165 for a custom made Hunts. Great value.

ItsJustCricket · « **Reply #5 on:** October 08, 2014, 04:52:55 PM »

Quote from: High Elbow on October 08, 2014, 03:29:15 PM

Dear All,

I have just today joined the forum - so thank you for letting me - as it looks very unusual and interesting!

I have a general question about bats.

I am 39 years old, 6'3", and weigh under 11 stone, so very slim (but not a weakling). I have been playing cricket only for the last 3-4 years for a local non-league team, but only this year have I decided to take it seriously, bought my own bat and had some coaching. The coach says I am too hunched over in stance and not really using my height and reach to drive the ball. He suggested I get a Long Handle or even Long Handle + Long Blade bat. I have been to quite a few shops and they apparently don't really stock them these days (which surprised me as there must be plenty of players around my height).

So I am therefore looking at a custom bat.

Can anyone suggest the best length, shape and weight bat for someone of my build? I currently use a Kookaburra Kahuna (SH, about 2 lbs 7 oz).

And can anyone suggest a good maker? I live in London and have an outside budget of about �200.

Many thanks,

Ben

Hi Ben,

I am 6'5" and I recently got a H4L HellFire G2 LB, which is within your budget. In this video I explain why I changed from a SH to LB and why it helps us taller folk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhLiWHQMBAo&list=UUIerErbsjvrlqWp_0TgIYjw

Our store is in London, too, so you should pop in and see if anything we have is suitable? Failing that, I could arrange for a LB H4L G2 bat to be custom made for you in time for our visit there on Saturday!

Cheers,
Paul

Manormanic · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2014, 06:41:39 PM »

A couple of points to bear in mind - if you're used to a short handle, make sure you get a long blade rather than long handle - the reason being that with the latter you'll just hold it right at the top of the wood and change nothing, whereas the longer blade cuts off that option. A second one, you'll probably be able to bear a couple of oz more than you think - I use bats between 2lb 12 and 3lb 4 with a long blade but struggle to get past 2lb 13 with a short handle....

Ryan · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2014, 06:44:13 PM »

A long blade or long handle or maybe a combination of both? Doesn't really matter as long as it feels natural and comfortable.

tim2000s · « **Reply #8 on:** October 08, 2014, 06:49:14 PM »

Ryan's point is very important. If you can, try a few as you really need to see how they feel.

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

edge · « **Reply #9 on:** October 08, 2014, 08:49:51 PM »

I'm another 6'3"er, highly recommend a long blade over a long handle (or that's my preference anyway). I find on a long handle you just hold it in at exactly the same height that you would anyway, so you get no benefit and just an extra inch of handle poking you in your wrist. I've mainly used standard SH bats over the years due to difficulties of getting hold of a LB, but I do definitely feel I drive better with a LB. As for manufacturer, I haven't received my new bat yet but am very happy with the photos of my new LB Red Ink in shaping - 2lb10oz and still looking a good size bat. John was helpful with advising me on a lighter cleft to use for it so would definitely recommend him on service so far and price!

petehosk · « **Reply #10 on:** October 08, 2014, 10:21:46 PM »

I am yet another 6'3er but use SH still as a rule.
Saying that I do have an Aldred LB plus a few others which I am probably going to be testing out in the nets over Winter.
I don't often get yorked or suffer from bad back, so not sure if it will make much difference to be honest. But am interested to see if it makes any difference?

And I absolutely agree that a LH bat isn't as good as LB! LB gets my vote, although each to their own!!

jwebber86 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:25:30 AM »

im 6'2" and use sh bats. i have considered getting a long blade but yet to try it.

never had any real problems with yorkers or the like just missing straight balls

tim2000s · « **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:32:01 AM »

Quote from: jwebber86 on October 09, 2014, 07:25:30 AM

im 6'2" and use sh bats. i have considered getting a long blade but yet to try it.

never had any real problems with yorkers or the like just missing straight balls

Ah, you use one of those new fangled bats with a hole in it....

Kulli · « **Reply #13 on:** October 09, 2014, 07:35:19 AM »

I'm 6'2 and use SH bats, but used a LH earlier in the season when borrowing my brothers gear and never noticed until after the game. I do like the idea of switching to a LB, but it's just a fair bit more hassle to get ahold of one.

High Elbow · « **Reply #14 on:** October 09, 2014, 12:46:18 PM »

Wow, thanks for all the useful advice and offers of help.

I can see I am going to have to try a few of the larger bats for ease and pickup and see what feels right...

Author Topic: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player? (Read 3850 times)

High Elbow

Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

JB

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

Silver Bullet

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

tim2000s

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

arsenal123

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

ItsJustCricket

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

Manormanic

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

Ryan

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

tim2000s

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

edge

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

petehosk

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

jwebber86

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

tim2000s

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

Kulli

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?

High Elbow

Re: Newcomer - best kind of bat for 6'3" player?