You may be considering purchasing a top-of-the-line cricket bat in time for spring practice. For England to reclaim the urn and win the legendary cricket Test series against Australia, a remarkable turnaround is required. The series began in December and will conclude in January.
A good cricket bat can help you get through the off-season even if you’re not playing during the winter months in the United Kingdom.
The costs of older stock are frequently reduced by retailers, so you’ll have plenty of time in the nets to get used to your new blade. So, if you’re in the market for a new cricket bat, the time is now.
Many bat manufacturers are competing for your attention and offering many pricing ranges, making it difficult to choose a suitable willow.
However, we’re here to help. You may use our handy overview of the finest cricket bats to narrow down the hundreds of possibilities and detailed buying advice to help you make an informed decision.
We’ve got you covered, whether you’re a Boycott-style blocker or a scorching Buttler.
Best cricket bats 2022
The best cricket bats to buy in 2022
Gunn & Moore Diamond 606
It’s not often to find a good bat from a renowned manufacturer for less than £150, but the G&M Diamond is just that. Gunn & Moore has been a fixture in kit bags throughout the world since 1936, and this particular blade was designed with Ben Stokes’ specific brand of aggressive cricket in mind.
It has a mid swell built for strokeplay, which, when combined with a typical, full blade profile, provides you room for error if you don’t quite hit the sweet spot. Throw in GM’s ToeTek protection and a treble spring cane handle, and you’ve got yourself a fantastic bat at an affordable price.
Size: SH; Weight: 2lb 9oz – 2lb 12oz; Grade: Grade 3 English willow; Sweet spot: Dynamic
Adidas XT 6.0 KW
If your youngster is just starting out in cricket, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of money on a bat, so this inexpensive model from Adidas is a good choice. You may also discover that your children are more willing to take up a bat made by Adidas — a brand they are familiar with – rather than a cricket-specific manufacturer.
The blade is somewhat concave to aid in the easy pickup, which is important when learning the game, and the handle is semi-oval in form for greater control. The XT 6.0 KW is available in sizes 2 to Harrow and includes both a face and toe guard – all of which are required for bats used by children.
Size: 2-H; Weight: Not stated; Grade: Kashmir willow; Sweet spot: Mid-blade
Newbery AXE
This willow piece has an axe-style grip that allows for unfettered swinging and better shot control. The bottom of the handle is thicker, while the top section tapers in, making it simpler to skillfully steer the ball across the ground. The AXE’s duckbill profile provides it with a thicker than normal toe but light pickup, making it suitable for slow and low wickets and players who prefer to play off the front foot.
Size: SH; Weight (SH): 2lb 6oz – 2lb 9oz; Grade: Grade 1-4; Sweet spot: Mid-blade
Kookaburra Kahuna 2.0
The Kookaburra Kahuna series was created in partnership with former Australia captain Ricky Pointing, but it is now supported by England’s king of power hitters, Jos Buttler. The bat has a complete profile thanks to minimal scalloping, and the pickup is quite light. The designs on the bat have also been updated for 2021, becoming squarer and more forceful.
Size: SH; Weight (SH): 2lb 8oz – 2lb 10oz; Grade: Grade 2 unbleached English willow; Sweet spot: Mid-blade
M&H The Original
Millichamp & Hall will be a known name to cricket purists. M&H, founded in 1987, has been producing some of the best willow bats money can buy at its County Ground, Taunton, base for almost 30 years. The Original, fashioned completely of English willow, is the company’s most recognizable creation. It’s not widely utilized by professionals, but Somerset players, including England spinner and blocking extraordinaire Jack Leach, frequently employ it.
The M&H Original boasts a wonderfully weighted pickup and a meaty sweet spot: there are few nicer emotions than batting with this bat. But arguably its most notable characteristic is its design. The M&H Original is basic and discreet, yet exceedingly attractive, with a white grip, green stripes, and old-school red text.
Size: SH; Weight (SH): 2lb 8oz – 3oz; Grade: MK 1 Pro-grade English willow; Sweet spot: High
MRF Chase Master
This product from Indian cricketing behemoth MRF is nothing short of spectacular. The Chase Master is made of premium English willow, and the highest-end model, listed above, is comparable to bats used by world-class players such as Indian megastar Virat Kohli.
MRF generally creates bats with a substantial bow, allowing players to swat away spin on dusty tracks with perfect ease. The Chase Master, on the other hand, is distinct in that it has large edges and shoulders, as well as a square toe to help lower the bat’s center of gravity and provide power when driving. As a result, it is equally at home in English as it is in South Asia. Look no further than MRF Chase Master if you want the greatest bat money can buy.
Size: SH; Weight (SH): 2lb 9oz – 2lb 12oz; Grade: Grade 1 English willow; Sweet spot: Mid-blade
Gunn & Moore Prima 909
Gunn & Moore has already introduced its seven-bat family for 2022, with three new additions this season: the Sparq, the Radon, and the Prima, which we’ve selected as one of the best new bats you can buy right now.
The Prima is designed for aggressive front-foot play and has a concave bat profile with strong edges, making it an excellent choice for powerful hitters. Despite this, it only weighs between 2’6 and 2’9, making it a very light pick-up for such a strong model. Furthermore, this is the only bat on our list that has a low sweet spot, making it excellent for versatile batters who prefer crunching drives to the boundary along the floor. If the top-of-the-line Prima 909 is too expensive for you, other classes include the 808 (£256), Signature (£160), 606 (£140), and 404 (£108).
Size: SH; Weight (SH): 2lb 6oz – 2lb 9oz; Grade: Unbleached seasoned Grade 1 English willow; Sweet spot: Low
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