Best Cricket Bats for Hard Ball

A hard ball bat is built to handle a heavy leather ball bowled at speed. Choosing well comes down to the willow, the profile of the bat and how it feels in your hands. This guide covers what matters before you spend your money.

English Willow or Kashmir Willow?

• English Willow: lighter, with a bigger sweet spot and better pick-up. It is the choice for serious hard ball cricket and comes in grades (Grade 1 is the best).
• Kashmir Willow: heavier and denser, more durable and cheaper. It suits beginners, practice and tennis ball cricket, and it is less suited to a hard leather ball over time.

For a longer comparison read our guide to Kashmir Willow and English Willow.

Choose the grade

Higher grades have cleaner willow with fewer blemishes and a straighter grain, which usually means a better ping and more consistent performance. Grade 1 is the top tier; Grade 2 and below suit club and developing players who want value. We explain the difference in our Grade 1 vs Grade 2 guide.

Check the bat's profile

• Edges and spine: thick edges and a high spine give power and forgiveness on mis-hits.
• Sweet spot: a mid to low sweet spot suits front foot players; a mid to high sweet spot suits back foot players.
• Weight and balance: pick the bat up and play shadow shots. It should feel balanced, not heavy.
• Size: make sure it matches your height. See our cricket bat size chart.

Look after the bat

A new English Willow bat needs knocking in before it is used against a hard ball. Skipping this is the most common reason bats crack.

Where to start

Browse our Grade 1 English Willow bats, Grade 2 English Willow bats and Kashmir Willow bats. Brand pages: Gray-Nicolls, SS, MRF, Kookaburra.