The bat — willow grades explained
Cricket bats are made from two species of willow. English willow (Salix alba caerulea) is soft, fibrous and highly responsive — the choice of every professional. Kashmir willow is denser, heavier and cheaper, and is used almost universally at entry level.
English willow bats are further graded 1 to 5. Grade 1 has straight, close grains (8+), minimal blemishes and the best 'ping'. Grade 4 has wider grains, cosmetic marks, and is often just as playable — you're mostly paying for the look.
Weight matters more than grade. A senior bat typically weighs 1.1–1.3 kg (2 lb 7 oz to 2 lb 14 oz). Pick one you can pick up and hold horizontally for 30 seconds without your wrist dropping.
The ball — red, white, pink
Red ball
Used in Tests and first-class cricket. Hand-stitched, lacquered leather. Swings longer, softens over 80 overs, then a new one is taken.
White ball
Used in ODIs and T20s. Same construction but dyed white for visibility under lights. Swings early, then goes soft quickly.
Pink ball
Made for day-night Tests. Extra lacquer for durability under lights; behaves differently under dew.
Practice balls
Composite or synthetic — cheaper, longer-lasting, but don't swing or seam like real leather.
Protective gear
Pads protect the shin and knee. Modern pads use HDF (high-density foam) with cane rods for stiffness — heavier pads absorb more, lighter pads let you run faster.
Batting gloves have foam-and-plastic finger rolls. Look for pre-curved fingers and split-leather palms for grip.
Helmets must meet the BS7928:2013 standard, with a steel or titanium grille sized so a ball cannot pass between grille and peak. Never buy a used helmet — foam degrades after impact.
Thigh guards, arm guards, chest guards and abdominal guards ('box') round out the kit for anyone facing a hard ball.
A first kit — what to actually buy
Helmet first
Never compromise on head protection. Buy new, size correctly, replace after any hard impact.
Bat second
A mid-range Kashmir or entry-grade English willow bat. Right weight beats right brand.
Pads & gloves
Comfort and mobility matter more than premium branding at this stage.
Box & thigh guard
Cheap, essential, non-negotiable when facing a real cricket ball.
Care and maintenance
New English willow bats must be 'knocked in' — hit repeatedly with a wooden mallet to compress the fibres — before facing a hard ball, or they'll crack.
Oil the face lightly with raw linseed oil twice a season. Store bats upright, out of direct sunlight and away from damp.
Rotate two match balls in nets if you can — leather needs time to dry between sessions.
Frequently asked
How much should a beginner bat cost?+
£40–£100 gets you a solid Kashmir willow bat or an entry-grade English willow. Above that is diminishing returns until club level.
Do I really need to knock in a new bat?+
Yes — for English willow, absolutely. Skipping knocking-in is the fastest way to crack a new bat.
What's the difference between short-handle and long-handle bats?+
Long-handle bats have a slightly longer grip for taller players. Most senior bats are short-handle by default.
Are pink-ball Tests fair to both sides?+
The pink ball swings more under lights and can be tricky to sight against a red-tinged sky — so the toss becomes even more important.