Topic: First Bat (Read 7693 times)

NT50 · « **on:** September 20, 2015, 02:59:27 PM »

Hello all!

Having not played cricket since i was about 10 (19 now) i'm finally getting back into it and am going to start playing again next year.

Obviously i'm going to be looking for a bat, but as i'm pretty clueless on the subject i thought this would be the place to ask!

I've been to a few nets session with a mate who plays for the team i'm joining and used other people's bats as i don't have my own, and from what i can tell a fairly lightweight bat would suit me as i'm only 5'6-ish and not particularly strong! The bats that suited me best were apparently 2.5/2.7's (i'll confess, no idea what that means)
Everyone else seems to spend up to �150-odd on bats ( from what i've been told, it's a very low standard and mostly consists of friendly's so not many people splash out!)
I live fairly close to @Vitas Cricket so will probably end up popping down there to buy a bat!

So with that little piece of information, any idea as to what i should be looking at?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Gurujames · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2015, 03:12:15 PM »

Good on you, it's a great sport and the best for socialising. A B&S Assegai would possibly suit, they are available at Vitas.Alternatively get one made, Red ink, Aldred and other makers will do you one within a �150 budget.

NT50 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2015, 04:48:42 PM »

Quote from: Gurujames on September 20, 2015, 03:12:15 PM

Good on you, it's a great sport and the best for socialising. A B&S Assegai would possibly suit, they are available at Vitas.Alternatively get one made, Red ink, Aldred and other makers will do you one within a �150 budget.

Indeed, one of the two reasons i'm taking it up!

Do you mean this one?

http://www.vitascricket.co.uk/products.php?id=1258

Looks nice! What's the difference between this 3 star and the 5 star that makes the latter 2x as expensive? Is it to do with the quality of material?

Mel Jessop · « **Reply #3 on:** September 20, 2015, 04:51:11 PM »

Check out the Aldred section and get yourself a butterfly willow bat custom made to your requirements..

Gurujames · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2015, 05:57:14 PM »

Quote from: NT50 link=topic=35907.msg564909#msg564909 date=144276772

[url=http://www.vitascricket.co.uk/products.php?id=1258

http://www.vitascricket.co.uk/products.php?id=1258[/url]

Looks nice! What's the difference between this 3 star and the 5 star that makes the latter 2x as expensive? Is it to do with the quality of material?
[/quote
Yes. The 3 star is a lower grade willow than the 5 star. this just means that it doesn't look as pretty, it has no effect on the performance.
alternatively
Quote from: Mel Jessop on September 20, 2015, 04:51:11 PM
Check out the Aldred section and get yourself a butterfly willow bat custom made to your requirements..

I have an Aldred and I would recommend one to anyone. From memory you can get a butterfly grade for �130 or �135. This again might not be pretty looking willow but it will be an excellent bat.

NT50 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2015, 06:40:44 PM »

Awesome! Not bothered what it looks like, as long as it performs

Will definitely start pursuing that when the new season comes around!

On the topic of equipment: How much should i be looking to spend on gloves/pads/helmet/whites/spikes?

I imagine a lot of them would be things to go and try on rather than gamble online

Alvaro · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2015, 06:45:54 PM »

I think a starting point would be to go to your nearest retailer.

Mel Jessop · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:00:30 PM »

Quote from: NT50 on September 20, 2015, 06:40:44 PM

Awesome! Not bothered what it looks like, as long as it performs Will definitely start pursuing that when the new season comes around!

On the topic of equipment: How much should i be looking to spend on gloves/pads/helmet/whites/spikes?

I imagine a lot of them would be things to go and try on rather than gamble online

Check the Brllinggam and Smith UK web site out �80 bundle offer on pads gloves and duffle bag, also Hell 4 Leather have a sale on at the mo, both look very nice..

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:01:20 PM »

For the money you want to spend try forum sponser Red ink and have a bat made to your own specifications as iwhen bat purchasing theres nothing better than having a bat handmade.

Mel Jessop · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:01:31 PM »

(Bellingham and Smith) sorry

Gurujames · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:09:11 PM »

If you are not going to face express pace bowling I wouldn't worry about getting expensive pads or gloves. Good deals on pads especially can be found second hand.
New gloves are a must. Get ones that feel comfortable for you.
You should try on a helmet first as the fit will be personal preference.
I have asics spikes which are excellent. However there are loads of cheaper options that all do the job. Again, you need to try them on as some are slightly smaller/narrower than others.
Good deals can be found now as retailers/players want rid of last year's stock.
You should be able to get it all for around �100 I would say.
Enjoy your shopping

Gurujames · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:45:40 PM »

Second hand you could sort yourself out for much less. About half. At 5 foot 6 youth size pads are probably what you are after and you can easily pick up a pair for a tenner.

NT50 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:56:22 PM »

Thanks to everyone for their input so far, really appreciate it!

In terms of bowling, it's slow so like you said i'm sure 2nd hand pads will do! I did buy some cheap sports direct pads for a fancy dress a few months ago, they were too big length wise but my calf's didn't fit through the bit you put your foot through! (i cannot for the life of me think of the word i'm looking for!) In terms of gloves i'm comfortably youth as i have the hands of an 8 year-old midget.

Will definitely try on boots as my ankles are dodgy so i have to be comfortable in them, same with helmet.

Any particular brands to look for on offers?

Cheers guys!

Alvaro · « **Reply #13 on:** September 20, 2015, 08:00:08 PM »

http://www.sportsshoes.com/products/cricket/

This is a good place to look if you know what size you're after.

You can't really beat Asics 100no for thirty readies

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #14 on:** September 20, 2015, 08:06:42 PM »

Quote from: NT50 on September 20, 2015, 07:56:22 PM

Thanks to everyone for their input so far, really appreciate it!

In terms of bowling, it's slow so like you said i'm sure 2nd hand pads will do! I did buy some cheap sports direct pads for a fancy dress a few months ago, they were too big length wise but my calf's didn't fit through the bit you put your foot through! (i cannot for the life of me think of the word i'm looking for!) In terms of gloves i'm comfortably youth as i have the hands of an 8 year-old midget.

Will definitely try on boots as my ankles are dodgy so i have to be comfortable in them, same with helmet.

Any particular brands to look for on offers?

Cheers guys!

With regard to batting pads i am the same hieght and use youths size if you go for a bigger size they will hinder you when you run.

Author Topic: First Bat (Read 7693 times)

NT50

First Bat

Gurujames

Re: First Bat

NT50

Re: First Bat

Mel Jessop

Re: First Bat

Gurujames

Re: First Bat

NT50

Re: First Bat

Alvaro

Re: First Bat

Mel Jessop

Re: First Bat

Seniorplayer

Re: First Bat

Mel Jessop

Re: First Bat

Gurujames

Re: First Bat

Gurujames

Re: First Bat

NT50

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Alvaro

Re: First Bat

Seniorplayer

Re: First Bat