Cricket Bat Profile
Cricket is a technical sport with technical products, but what do all the terms mean? The following is an insight into the anatomy of a Kookaburra cricket bat and will hopefully assist when selecting a Senior or Junior cricket bat size to suit you.
A — EDGE PROFILE
Kookaburra’s big edge profile increases from the shoulders and maximises at the swell, generating supreme balance with an extended sweet spot that covers the entire width of the blade.
B — SPINE PROFILE
Kookaburra’s super spine profiles adopt traditional shaping characteristics and operate in unison with the edge profile of the bat. This creates a huge apex with unrivalled amounts of power and exceptional pick up.
C — SWEET SPOT
The position in the blade where performance is at its maximum. Kookaburra bats are designed to maximise the size of the sweet spot, allowing the middle of the bat to be spread further across the blade and ensuring that off centre strikes perform better.
D — SCALLOP
In the quest to maximise profile, using scallops either side of the spine allow the apex to be extended without dramatically increasing weight. Scallops also maximise edge profile and reduce rotation of the blade in off-centre hits, minimising power loss.
E — FACE PROFILE
The modern game revolves around the thickness of the blade. Kookaburra have developed two types of face profiles to suit these demands:
Flat Face — a level striking area that allows more mass to be retained in the back of the bat to, in turn, maximise power profile.
Rounded Face — a slightly rounded face favoured by more traditional players. Gives a familiar look but yields a less expanded profile.
F — BOW
The curvature of the bat from the tip of the handle to the end of the toe. Designed to enhance the position of the hands by placing them ahead of the ball – an essential for optimum stroke play.
Cricket Bat Sizes
Below is our recommendation on the appropriate bat size based on player height. This guide can be used for all Junior and Senior cricket bats.
| BAT SIZE | PLAYER HEIGHT (cm) | PLAYER HEIGHT (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Size 1 | – 130 | – 4’3″ |
| Size 2 | 130 – 137 | 4’3″ – 4’6″ |
| Size 3 | 137 – 145 | 4’6″ – 4’9″ |
| Size 4 | 145 – 152 | 4’9″ – 5′ |
| Size 5 | 152 – 160 | 5′ – 5’3″ |
| Size 6 | 160 – 165 | 5’3″ – 5’5″ |
| Harrow | 165 – 170 | 5’5″ – 5’7″ |
| Small Adult | 170 – 175 | 5’7″ – 5’9″ |
| Short Handle | 175 – 183 | 5’9″ – 6′ |
| Long Blade | 183 + | 6′ + |
WEIGHT & PICK UP
The ‘holy grail’ of bats is one with a massive profile and a very light ‘dead weight’, but this is exceptionally hard to find.
There is much discussion about heavier bats and larger edge profiles, and how these will hit the ball further. At Kookaburra, we do not totally subscribe to this theory. Clearly, If you choose a lighter bat then you will most likely need to compromise slightly on the thickness of the overall profile. Rest assured, this is not always a problem. We all have different physiques and sizes and we strongly believe that to get the best performance out of a bat, the most essential element is to choose one that feels the right weight for you. This will help you to time the ball better and ultimately make more runs!
It is interesting when a player stipulates that they must have an exact bat weight. If a 2lb 9oz and a 2lb 10oz bat weight were placed in front of the player, it is unlikely that they would be able to tell the difference. We feel ‘pick up’ is more important than ‘dead weight’ as the pick up determines how the bat will feel in play. Nobody can tell you what the right pick up is for you, or the exact weight you should use – it is a question of what feels right for you.
SHAPE AND PROFILE
It is often claimed that bats are specifically designed for either front or back foot play. In reality, although a shape can be better suited to the type of wicket you normally play on, we all have to play off both the front and back foot. Therefore, it is best to choose the bat that just feels right for you.
All players differ slightly in the way they play and as such, are likely to hit the ball in slightly different areas of the bat. Whilst it is impossible to cater for every impact area, we recommend choosing a bat that has wood focused in your normal impact position. This will greatly improve the chance of the bat being a correct fit for you. To ensure the longevity of your cricket bat, always follow appropriate bat care instructions.
