Choosing the best cricket bat will always be a personal preference. However, a 2lb 13oz bruiser with a cavernous middle is for the giants of hitters; however, a player who hits with finesse may require something lighter and balanced in its pick-up.
To help you pick the perfect new batting partner – whatever your style, weight requirements and budget – we tested a selection of the best bats on the market for 2024, ranking them: some of the biggest brands around come in the list, including Gunn & Moore, DSC, Kookaburra, and Gray-Nicolls cricket bat.
What are Cricket Bats Made Of?
First, they are usually made from willow wood shaped like a cane. The bat makers then attach a wooden blade with a flat front surface.
The two wood types most commonly used for cricket bats are English Willow & Kashmir Willow.
With much skill and craftsmanship, they hone what were once raw pieces of wood into a magnificent blade for batsmen to ply their trade.
What is the History of Cricket Bats?
The origin of cricket bats dates back to the 16th century in Great Britain. After that, the bat evolved as the game gained popularity in Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, South Africa, and India.
Cricket has existed for centuries and remains a strong force in regions once ruled by the British and those currently within that umbrella.
In reality, the shape and materials of bats have not changed at their base. However, much technology has made them lighter, more potent, and more flexible than bats that past generations have had to work with.
Tips to Choose the Right Cricket Bat
A few different factors govern the choice of a particular cricket bat.
The type of cricket bat needed is primarily determined by the kind of ball you will use when playing cricket.
Further, you must consider the price of each bat, as some cricket bats are costly.
A high price isn’t necessarily an indicator of quality, but the level of effort and manual labour each bat requires is vast. The cost of raw materials and local labour can also heavily influence the price brackets between the brands.
This means that bat selection and every cricketer’s kit will typically require the most time and research.
How to Select Bat for the Right Conditions
Lastly, the bat’s size matters if you play professionally or casually. Professional bats follow the rule book, and their dimensions represent the actual norms of cricket.
This article lists the many different cricket brands that manufacture cricket bats worldwide.
They possess rapport among professional cricket players, and you can expect the best quality while selecting a cricket bat from these brands.
Let us dive into the best cricket bat brands:
1. Kookaburra Cricket Bats
The brand is one of the world’s no 1 cricket bat companies. Kookaburra cricket bat is an Australian-based company founded in 1890. It has produced cricket balls, bats, and equipment for many years. The main difference with Kookaburra cricket bats is that they possess the English willow as the material. It is well-known that English willow is highly responded to with an excellent grain structure. Kookaburra bats, made in Australia, are gaining popularity across the globe, and many cricketers use them. Famous sportsmen like Yuvraj Singh, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Keaton Jennings of England have been associated with the brand.
Moreover, Kookaburra is a famous supplier of cricket balls for professional tournaments and international test matches. Even though Kookaburra manufactures high-quality equipment, there is a crucial point: their products are pretty expensive; in the UK, an average bat cost goes up to £3,000. However, because of their performance and duration, these bats present different options and are often favoured by amateur and professional cricketing players.
2. Spartan
Spartan Sports is an Australian-based cricket equipment company. Established in 1998 by Kunal Sharma, the company produces some of the most balanced cricket bats known for their precision, precise edges, and strength. Spartan is said to make bats that are tailored for playing big strokes.
Spartan Sports also produces sports equipment for other sporting codes such as Rugby Union, Rugby League, Touch Football, Netball, Basketball and European Football / Soccer.
Some notable batters who have used or endorsed Spartan cricket bats include Michael Clark, Chris Gayle, David Warner and the Indian cricketing juggernaut, MS Dhoni (a formidable list of names for a relatively young cricket brand).
3. Gun & Moore Cricket Bats
Gunn & Moore is a mythical cricket bat-producing company that was established in 1885.
The company manufactures premium cricket bats, which are comprised of the best quality English willow.
GM has manufactured various bats for centuries and is known for making some of the most significant surfaced bats. The GM-produced bats are also famous for their styling, strength, and durability.
They also produce equipment for many other sports, including Darts, Basketball, Netball, European Football / Soccer, Volleyball and Handball.
GM Cricket boasts an elite list of endorsements from professional cricketers, including Steve Waugh, Graeme Smith, Stephen Fleming, Michael Vaughan, Anil Kumble, Graeme Swann, and Shane Watson. These are all game superstars, and quite simply, they are top-class.
The brand ambassadors currently represented by GM are just great. They have been working together on developing a range of signature series bats featuring batsmen Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ross Taylor, Quinton De Kock, James Vince, Travis Head, Dawid Malan, and Aiden Markram.
4. Gray Nicolls
Grey Nicolls, a UK-based company, has been a great cricket equipment manufacturer since 1855. While Grey Nicolls have been associated with cricket for more than 150 years, it was in the 1980s that cricket bats really hit the market. This brand is loved by cricketers across the globe for its rich history and quality. The fact that players like David Warner and Kane Williamson support Grey Nicolls’ bats attests to their adaptability, showing that they can accommodate both power hitters and those who rely on touch and timing. Many UK manufacturers strongly emphasise premium English willow, which guarantees that their bats uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Grey Nicolls also offers a junior bat selection, which shows the company’s commitment to developing young talent. Due to its long history in the cricketing world and the support of international players of repute, Grey Nicolls is a reliable choice for anyone seeking high-quality cricket bats. It has a bat for every type of cricket player, from beginners to experts, further enhancing its position as one of the most respected sports companies.
5. MRF
One of the most popular and recognized brands of cricket bats manufactured in India is Madras Rubber Factory, or MRF. Great cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have played with MRF bats, which have an age-old history dating back to the 1980s. MRF is famous for making excellent bats out of Kashmir and English willow. Due to its increasing global recognition and distribution network, MRF’s products are now available in more areas, not only in India but also in the UK and other countries.
The MRF logo is very commonly seen while watching cricket matches on television, but what popular heroes the team’s bats have been, with particularly outstanding balance and sweet spots, accommodating every conceivable playing philosophy. It has entrenched MRF’s status as a preeminent manufacturer of cricket bats by the commitment to innovation and premium material.
Also Read: Heaviest Cricket Bat used in International Cricket
