Let me share some great news with you – my boys are all invested in cricket! This is one of those victories parents love to celebrate because it’s one point for sports and a BIG zero for screens, including TV, smartphones, computers and PlayStation. The fact that it wasn’t easy for me and their dad to get them into the sport in the first place makes the victory even sweeter!

Ever since they started the training in the most challenging of times, during the grip of COVID-19 in 2020, we’ve already noted some incredible improvements – primarily with their strength and stamina. Prior to the activity, they could run around for half an hour each before needing a screen-time break, whereas now they could run most of the day without so much as stopping to catch their breath. And they enjoy it!

If you too have kids and want to get them into this amazing activity, don’t leave out the necessity of quality equipment. Besides helping them with the performance early on, having top-notch gear can assist with motivating them to get more serious about the sport. If there’s one piece I would most put focus on, it’s the bat.

Why Is the Right Cricket Bat So Important?

You simply can’t do without a sturdy junior cricket bat of superb quality as it’s the very piece that takes most of the beating. Also, it’s the very tool batsmen rely on for success so not having the adequate one would interfere with the way they master the techniques. It can also slow down their success. Get a bat that’s either too light or too heavy for them, and you risk badly affecting their play.

Don’t forget, it’s responsible for the comfort of a child throughout the training or game too. Think of it as one of the junior cricket gear essentials that can set your child up for a great season and start your homework as a parent by reading up reviews on the suitable models, brands, and prices, as well as bearing in mind the following.

How to Pick the Ideal Cricket Bats for Your Kids?

It’s fairly simple really – consider the size, weight, and material. Each of these three is important so don’t overlook any if you want to find something that would be ideal for your child.

Size

Although there are standardised sizes of the junior cricket bat in the end the perfect one depends on your child’s height. Bigger bats are better for taller children and vice versa, meaning googling to find the answer to “What bat size should I get for an eight-year-old?” may not provide you with the right model.

That’s why it’s crucial to consider the bat’s exact size specifications which fall into categories ranging from 0 to 6, then harrow, and adult short and long handle sizes suitable for really tall kids. The more accurate you are with the size, the better. Most brands also offer a size guide on their website or you can always ask in the shop.

Weight

It all comes down to how lightweight a specific junior cricket bat feels for your child. If they’re not able to hold it for an extended period of time, either in front of them or at the side, chances are it’s too heavy for them to be comfortable during the play.

For younger children, it’s often better to go for something on the lighter side as they may not have the necessary arm strength yet. As they grow older and get used to playing with a cricket bat, you can upgrade to a slightly heavier model.

Material

One material that’s known as the primary choice for cricket bats happens to be wood, willow in particular, and there are two basic types of it being used: English and Kashmir willow. In terms of properties, the first is chosen for its soft and fibrous texture, while the latter for its hardness and robustness.

As such, out of the two, it’s the English willow that provides a higher performance so keep this in mind when shopping for the ideal cricket bat for kids along with the grain which plays a crucial role in the knocking. Bats with more grain, ranging from 6 to 12, are the ones that are easier to knock in. Also, pay attention to the willow grades for future purchases of bats as there are five, out of which:

• Grade 1 – G1
  This is the second best also characterised by straight and even grain structure, and unbleached wood.
• Grade 2 – G2
  The third-grade bats are unbleached though they may have some discolouration and irregular wood patterns.
• Grade 3 – G3
  Grade four is characterised by an irregular pattern and blade discolouration.
• Grade 4 – G4
  Usually bleached, the grade five bats are not oiled. This is the lowest quality category, with the poorest performance.