When you’re buying a cricket bat, there are a lot of different considerations, and if you’ve never purchased one before then having a cricket bat weight guide can help you to work out how hefty a bat you should go for.
In this guide, we explain different weights of bats, and what tends to count as lightweight, heavyweight, and midweight in terms of cricket bats.
The weight is one of the determining factors in a batter’s style of play and how they hit the ball, and there is plenty to think about before you take the plunge. The difference between bats can mean the difference between hitting 4s and hitting singles.
How Much Does a Cricket Bat Weigh?
The rules of the game dictate that there are certain dimensions and weights of bat that can be used.
“The length of the bat may be no more than 38 in (965 mm), the width no more than 4.25 in (108 mm), the overall depth no more than 2.64 in (67 mm) and edge no more than 1.56 in (40 mm).”
There’s no standard weight for bats, but because of the density of wood, combined with the standardized sizes of bats, they normally weigh between 2lb 7oz and 3lb.
Does Bat Weight Matter?
Bat weight undeniably makes a difference, but there is always something subjective about the feel of a bat.
If you go into a cricket equipment shop or visit a bat manufacturer, you can pick up two different bat models that are actually the same weight and find that they feel totally different.
Different density of willow can lead to a slight variation in bat weights and how they feel, and how they play, of course. There are even some subtle differences you may never have considered before. Did you know that once you add labels and a grip to your bat it can even be a couple of ounces heavier?
The truth is that if you play for an hour with a 2lb 9oz bat and a 2lb 11oz bat, you probably won’t find that one has a significantly heavier feel in general, but the bats will play slightly differently. It’s likely that you will develop a favourite.
Bat Weight and Playing Style
As with a lot of the aspects of cricket bats, making your decision is largely about a balancing act. The size and weight of cricket bat should suit the style you are trying to emulate.
Pretty much every batter is looking for a balance, which means a bat that is light enough to play for long periods without tiring, and to be able to access 360 hitting while you are at the crease, but also a bat that is heavy enough to help you with your power. An extremely lightweight bat would really struggle to hit sixes, so if you consider yourself a power-hitter, you need a bat that is at least fairly heavy.
People are constantly searching for a bat that has enough power, but also is flexible enough so that you can jam your bat down to defend a yorker or be flexible enough to play some stylish reverse sweeps without feeling like you’re carrying the shopping in from the car.
Batters all have their own build, and they all have their own technique. This means that bat weight is just one part of the equation.
When you hear people talk about cricket bat weights, you will hear a few different terms.
The ‘dead weight’ is how much the bat weighs when you put it on the scales. Nothing subjective about it, just the cold hard facts of how heavy the bat is.
You’ll also hear people talk about the ‘pick up’ of a bat. This is about how the bat feels when you are playing. A bat with a good pick up makes it feel like it is lightweight and flexible even though it’s a hefty piece of willow. Factors that impact this include the design of the bat, its curvature, and the handle, which is a factor in how the weight is distributed.
Cricket Bat Weights and Sizes – Smaller Sized Bats
There are a number of different cricket bats suiting different sizes of players. Naturally, a six year old taking their first steps into the world of cricket will need a much smaller bat than an adult.
In terms of adult sizes, there tend to be two options, the SH and LH bats, meaning Short Handle and Long Handle. The bat weight difference will only be a couple of ounces in the majority of cases.
The biggest non-adult size is the Harrow size, which is again a few ounces lighter than the average SH bat.
Children’s sizes from 1-6 can be significantly lighter, as they are designed for younger people to be able to play the sport as they are still developing their strength.
The manufacturing process, and the fact that wood is a natural substance, with natural variation in density, means that the weight can vary a little. If you buy a bat that is advertised as 2lb 9oz and it is a tiny bit off this, don’t worry too much. The pickup, shape, and quality of wood make more of a difference than these tiny and subtle variations.
