Best Junior Cricket Bats Guide

We’ve written our guide to the best junior cricket bats because choosing the best cricket bat for junior cricketers comes with a few things to consider carefully.

Here at Cricket Yorkshire, we’ve done the research to give you sensible advice as well as links to buy - with discounts too!

Disclosure: Cricket Yorkshire is reader-supported. That means when you buy through links on our website, I may earn an affiliate commission. You’ll be supporting Cricket Yorkshire at no extra cost to yourself. Crucially, they don’t affect the independence of the writing, the choice of subject or how I review or mention products.

Choosing a Junior Cricket Bat

The best junior cricket bat is one that the player can lift easily and suits their age, height and ability.

The best junior cricket bat of 2027 (or any other year) is the one that does its job and performs well.

The challenge is picking the right cricket bat but also being aware that as the child grows, they’ll need a different size in future.

If you’re asking: how do I pick a cricket bat for my child? then let’s walk you through the steps.

The appropriate size of bat for a junior cricketer is so important. If it’s too big and heavy then it’s not fit for purpose and will be frustrating and ineffective to use.

The size of a junior cricket bat is based on age so here’s a chart to decide what the likely size is you’ll need.

Junior Cricket Bat Size Guide

The guide above shows the age of the cricketer and cricket bat size from 1-6 then Harrow or full size (Short Handle or Long Handle).

There is no substitute for picking up a few cricket bats and seeing how they feel, a bit like trying on different cricket shoes. Junior cricket bat sizes can differ a little between brands but the guide above is from Village Cricket Co and is a useful start.

Do you need to knock in a junior cricket bat?

Cricket bats are pressed in the factory but typically need some knocking in to soften the willow fibres and get more power with your shots.

A few sessions in a net with a softer cricket ball will do the job. It does depend though. Some cricket bats are sold as pre-knocked-in which means you should be able to use them immediately in a match.

Our advice? You can’t do any damage with a bit of extra knocking in to get a feel for your bat and to soften the willow so there’s that ‘ping’ when ball hits bat.

Kashmir Willow Cricket Bats for Juniors

Cricket bats are made from English Willow or Kashmir willow - essentially the same tree but grown in different parts of the world.

With young cricketers growing out of bats fast as they get older, it can become expensive which is why Kashmir willow bats are popular.

Reasons include:

• They are lower cost
• Juniors don’t need the best bat
• Kids grow out of equipment fast

We are partnering with Village Cricket Co whose aim to provide affordable equipment to make the game accessible to everyone. They've also kept a simple design and shape, to keep costs down, and to make choosing a bat very easy.

So, their junior cricket bat is ready to play - which means it has been knocked in by a machine in a factory. Like all of their bats are.

It is still Grade 1 Kashmir willow, grown in India, size 1-6 & harrow, with a free cricket bat case.

All for just £47-£67 (depending on the size your junior cricketer needs and prices may change, check the retailer website for latest deals).

At these prices, Village Cricket Co are terrific value and the reviews are glowing too.

Buying a Junior Cricket Bat

The choice of cricket bats out there for junior cricketers (and the parents who are paying!) is huge.

It might be that you decide you don’t want a Kashmir cricket bat or have your heart set on one of the major brands like Gray Nicolls, New Balance or Gunn & Moore.

A Google reveals plenty of deals from retailers - particularly at key points of the year - Christmas, pre-season and end-of-season sales.

Perhaps you have a price point in mind or the shape of cricket bat for your son or daughter. They might prefer the look of a particular junior cricket bat - and that’s ok too!

One last thing... if you need other advice about buying cricket equipment then check out what we've written below:

🏏 Best Cricket Shoes Guide

🏏 Best Cricket Helmet Guide

🏏 Best Cricket Bat Guide


Disclosure: Cricket Yorkshire is reader-supported. That means when you buy through links on our website, I may earn an affiliate commission. You’ll be supporting Cricket Yorkshire at no extra cost to yourself. Crucially, they don’t affect the independence of the writing, the choice of subject or how I review or mention products.