Hi All, I've No Idea What To Do With A Bat

As the thread title suggests I've no idea what I'm doing in regards to batting, I am looking at getting back into cricket after about 15 years out of it, most likely playing in the 4ths team or if the club has the numbers for it I would probably be playing 5ths, (I'm pretty ****).

Things I am wanting to know are:

1) Will a Kashmir willow bat hold up in mens cricket, I have emailed one company enquiring about a Kashmir bat of theirs, letting them know my skill level and ideal price range and hey told me to get a $350 english willow bat

Essentially, will a Kashmir bat in club cricket with a 5.5oz leather ball snap or fall to pieces instantly?

2) what size bat? I am 169cm (5ft 6in) and looking at bats some say SH, some say small mens, others say harrow.

Ideally around $100 is my budget, less is great, more can be found probably nowhere near double.

If any other info of me is need for you guys to give a better answer, ask away

Mate if you're as crap as I am, Kashmirs fine, knock it in properly and if like me you bat at No.10 or 11 you'll only get to walk out to the middle on the odd ocassion and you'll soon be back quite possibly after edging it to the keeper. The when you get better you'll find you don't even get to hit the ball cos the other bloke gets out sending you back to the sheds before you've had any chance of showing the opposition your new strokes you've perfected in front of the mirror!

The other thing I do is look out for 2nd hand bats on ebay, there's always blokes like yourself with less commitment that come back to the game later in life or form a works team, who soon get a ball up around the gills, in the nuts or right on the toe who think 'Sod this for a game of soldiers' and end up selling - sometimes top quality gear for peanuts. Okay it takes them 4-5 years to part with the stuff and it may be a bit dated by the time you pick it up, but you'll pick up a whole load of kit including a grade 1 English Willow bat for next to nothing. (That's how it works out in the UK).

Cheers SBCDave, have been looking on ebay but doesn't seem to be much at the moment. Any advice on size of bat? SH or small mens or a different size?

Made a not of your forum, I'll have a look at it and see what the comments are like whether there's good feel about it.

Not being a batsman, Wouldn't really know, I used to go by that "If it can sit inside your inside leg" that's the right size, but I've been told that's nonesense, but my bat does that just about. How does a Harrow feel? I've got a Harrow bat and I'm 5'9" and that feels a bit short but usuable and my son uses that now and he's 5'8". Have a look at this link - http://www.seriouscricket.co.uk/shop/page.php?xPage=help_advice.html&em=3,1 I think a lot of people say the 'Feel of the bat' is more important, but that comes through using them, so that's a bit vague as well.

Generally Kashmir bats will be fine. Yes, they may not play as well as English willow but as long as you try to buy a reputable brand and give it a lick of oil the bat should last you a few seasons. Remember though that willow is natural product and as such it may break after one hit or after thousands - just the luck of the draw. I had a Kashmir bat which lasted a few years (used as a mess around bat); I sold it on and the guy who bought it scored 750+ runs with it. He was nothing more than a slogger so the bat held up well. On the other hand, my brother had one and it cracked on the first use - yorker to the toe.

As for size wise it's going to be your call between a harrow or short handle. A short handle will weigh more and have more wood to get behind the ball but you may find it slightly large. Then again, you may prefer it that way. The main advantage in going for a smaller bat is that you can pick up a decent grade 1 English willow bat in a harrow size for about £100. However, they are made for junior players with less wood in - as such you may find they break sooner than a short handle bat would.

A few bats to consider - grade 4 English willow - http://www.cricketcentre.com.au/pro...SPARTAN&Variable[cat3]=-1&pager=1&startpage=1

Harrow - http://www.kingsgrovesports.com.au/Products.aspx?ProductID=108

Kashmir - http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=39412&cat=354

At $150 - http://www.rebelsport.com.au/ecom/rebel/product_detail.aspx?id=39055&cat=354

Kookaburra - http://www.ballsports.com.au/Kookaburra-Rogue-325-Cricket-Bat-p-2378.html (non oil, just get it and play)

So, there are plenty of options even for $100. Stretch to $150 and there are plenty more to consider.

I knew someone who knew what they were talking about would join in sooner or later. Nice one Sage!

Thank you muchly SBCDave and Sage for your help and advice. Sorry for the late reply but life got in the way of posting a thank you until now, but once again thanks.

Going on ur size small mens the way to go
But get a gm 606 will cause about 100-150 au bucks

Don't worry. Except for me, nobody else has. Even my friends Sachin and Ricky atm!