Hello all,
I'm kind of a noob here, but I have taken a large interest in cricket and am considering to play it in college while I am in Boston. One of my biggest questions is about bats. Why do they all seem so EXPENSIVE?!? It looks like a decent english willow bat starts at about 300 dollars. As a previous baseball player, I have a hard time accepting that a bat could cost this much. Therefore, I'm trying to find the best bang for my buck.
Cricket bats are "EXPENSIVE" because of limited to no standardization. As you delve in the world of custom bats, you will know what I am talking about. Answers to your questions interspersed below. You can get excellent used/new (for sale) bats for very low prices on ebay and on the forum. Before plunking down your money, do your due diligence.
What is a good bat for a beginner/intermediate cricketer?
A good bat for begin/intermediate cricketer is one that will get the batter good value for their shots without exerting too much power (which often results in changing the shape of the shot/stroke). Simply put, a bat that you can swing easily and see the ball go a decent distance.
Some factors to consider: weight of the bat which can vary from 2 lb 5 oz to 3 lb 3 oz monsters; shape of the bat and location of sweet spot (do you hit the ball high on the bat, low, mid-low?); handle size; blade length; etc. Swinging different bats and hitting balls will give you some idea of what feels good to you.
Can I get quality bats here in the US?
Of course! You can order them online. You can have them custom made (abroad) and shipped to your address. You can visit a cricket shop should you travel to the Tri-state area, CA, or TX. You can also buy from forumites here. You are not the only one in the US who hunts for quality bats.
How long should a bat last?
That depends on several factors: - weight of the bat (lighter ones tend to break sooner than heavier ones but that doesn't mean that you'll get value from a heavier bat); bat care and maintenance; conditions and style of play; or, just plain luck.
My favorite match bat lasted over 5 seasons and is still intact, it just doesn't ping like it used.
Do I need multiple bats (for practice and games)?
Not necessarily. Yes, that's a heretical statement considering the forum...
Should I consider just getting some good grade kashmir willow bats for cheaper?
No. You can get a very decent bat for less. Start with a used bat that feels good to you when you swing it. Try out bats of other people in your team. Get a general sense of the weight, shape, and size that works for you; and then, search for a bat meeting those specs online/here/else where. Because the USD is strong these days, you can get some high quality bats for around USD200.
I know these are some really stupid questions, but wherever I go I can't seem to get any straight forward answers. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Not at all. You don't have to make the same mistakes that (ahem) some people have made and wasted money in the process.
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Topic: Best Cricket Bats for Beginner Players. (Read 4600 times)