Professional Cricket Bats Used by International Players

Professional cricketers are fussy about their bats, and the way they choose is worth copying. They do not buy a bat for the name on the stickers: they pick it for feel, balance and how it suits their game. Here is what professionals look for, and how you can use the same approach.

What professionals look for

• Top grade willow: clean, straight-grained English Willow, usually Grade 1, for consistency and pop.
• Profile built for their game: thick edges and a full profile for power hitters; a more classical shape for players who rely on timing.
• Pick-up and balance: the bat should feel like an extension of the hands, not heavy in the swing.
• Personal weight: many professionals fine-tune the weight to the gram and often order several bats from the same batch.
• Customisation: handle shape, grip and sometimes a slightly longer or shorter blade.

The bats: players' editions

Many brands release a "players' edition" of their top-end models. These use selected willow and are made to the same profile that professionals use. They are a good match for serious club cricketers who want a close version of a professional bat.

How to choose like a professional

1. Start with the right size and a weight you can swing all day.
2. Test the bat in your stance with shadow shots and, if you can, a few net sessions.
3. Choose the profile for your style: sweet spot position, edge thickness and spine.
4. Look at the grain, the pressing and the finish, not only the sticker.
5. Knock it in properly before using it with a hard ball.

Browse the range

See our Grade 1 English Willow bats and brand pages for Gray-Nicolls, MRF, SS and Kookaburra.