Cricket Bats — English Willow & Kashmir Willow Bats for UK Players

Buy cricket bats online at Fore Sports — the UK's specialist retailer for cricket equipment from junior club level through to professional. Browse our full range below, with new-season stock and free UK delivery on orders over £100.

Our English willow cricket bats are hand-pressed from Grade 1 to Grade 4 willow and quality-checked for pickup, ping and durability. They suit league, club and county play with hard cricket balls.

For training, beginners and tape-ball cricket, our Kashmir willow cricket bats deliver trusted performance at entry-level prices — heavier than English willow but considerably more affordable and longer-lasting against soft balls.

How to choose a cricket bat

Start with willow type, not brand. English willow is lighter, softer and more responsive - the standard for match cricket. Kashmir willow is denser and more durable, which makes it cheaper and longer-lasting but less lively off the face. Buy English willow if you play hard-ball cricket regularly; Kashmir is fine for juniors still growing, garden cricket, or occasional taped-ball matches.

Size the bat to the player's height. Using the wrong-size bat is the single most common mistake in junior cricket - a too-heavy bat kills technique at the formative age. Size 4 fits 9-11-year-olds at around 137-144cm, size 5 covers 144-150cm, size 6 covers 150-157cm, Harrow suits 162-168cm, and Short Handle (SH) is the standard adult size for 168-185cm players. Tall adults should look at Long Handle or Long Blade.

Weight is less important than pickup. Static weight (what the bat reads on scales) is a poor guide to how the bat plays - pickup (how light it feels swinging through the shot) matters more. A well-balanced 2lb 10oz bat can feel lighter than a poorly-balanced 2lb 8oz one. Heavier bats with low swells hit harder but demand more bat speed; lighter mid-swell bats suit touch players and timing-based batting.

Decide whether to buy pre-knocked. A new unprepared bat needs 6-8 hours of knocking-in before it's match-ready. If you don't have the time or don't trust the process, a pre-knocked bat saves weeks and costs an extra £20-40. For kids who'll grow out of a bat in a season or two, pre-knocked is usually the right call.

Cricket bat size and height guide

Bat size

Player height

Typical age

Suitable willow

Size 4

137-144 cm

9-11 years

Kashmir or entry English

Size 5

144-150 cm

10-12 years

Kashmir or English

Size 6

150-157 cm

11-13 years

English willow recommended

Harrow

162-168 cm

13-15 years

English willow

Short Handle

168-185 cm

Adult

English willow

Long Handle / Blade

185 cm+

Adult tall

English willow

Shop Cricket Bats by Willow, Size and Player Level

Fore Sports stocks cricket bats across every willow grade, size and price tier so UK players can buy with confidence at any level — whether you're picking your first junior bat or upgrading to a Grade 1 match blade.

English Willow Cricket Bats

Our premium range is hand-pressed from Grade 1 to Grade 4 English willow. These are the bats used in club, league and county cricket, offering the best pickup, ping and rebound off the face. Suitable for hard-ball and leather-ball matches.

Kashmir Willow Cricket Bats

Heavier, denser and more affordable, Kashmir willow bats are ideal for beginners, junior training and tape-ball or soft-ball cricket. Expect 70–80% of the performance of English willow at roughly a third of the price.

Sizes Available

Short Handle (SH) for adults over 5'9", Harrow for teens 5'3"–5'8", and junior sizes 6, 5, 4 and 3 for younger players. Long-handle (LH) and long-blade (LB) options are available on request for taller adult players.

Player Level & Price Tiers

Entry-level Kashmir willow bats from £40, club-grade English willow from £150, and professional Grade 1 bats up to £900+. Every bat is quality-checked, available pre-knocked on request, and ships across the UK with free delivery on orders over £100.

Explore Premium Cricket Bats for All Levels

Experience our extensive collection of cricket bats, designed to cater to both enthusiasts and professionals. Whether you're a seasoned player or just beginning your cricket journey, our selection offers the perfect bat for you. Crafted with precision, our English Willow and Kashmir Willow cricket bats provide the ideal balance, power, and accuracy to enhance your performance.

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Elevate Your Game with Top Cricket Bats

Our exclusive all edition cricket bats, each bat in our collection is meticulously crafted to deliver excellence. Elevate your game with our professional-grade cricket bats, designed for those who seek superior performance. For younger players, our junior cricket bats ensure high quality and help them develop their skills from an early age.

Shop the Best Cricket Bats Online

Browse our collection to find the best cricket bats available. Our bats not only offer optimal performance but also feature sleek, aesthetically pleasing designs. Take advantage of our cricket bats on sale and enjoy premium quality at great value.

Join the Community of Satisfied Players

Join the ranks of professionals and cricket lovers who trust our products. Shop online with confidence, knowing that you're getting the best cricket bats available in the UK. Step up your game with our exceptional cricket bats and gear, making every hit count.

 

FAQs

Size the bat to the player's height: size 4 for 137-144cm, size 5 for 144-150cm, size 6 for 150-157cm, Harrow for 162-168cm, and Short Handle (SH) for adults 168-185cm. Use height, not age - a too-large bat damages technique.
English willow is lighter, softer and more responsive, producing more power off the face - the standard for match cricket. Kashmir willow is denser and more durable, cheaper, and suits juniors, garden cricket and taped-ball matches but is less lively.
Yes, unless labelled pre-knocked. A new unprepared cricket bat needs 6-8 hours of knocking-in with a mallet across several sessions before facing a new leather ball. Skipping the process compresses willow unevenly and causes premature cracks.
For adult club cricket, 2lb 8oz to 2lb 11oz is the typical range. Power-hitters can go up to 2lb 12oz with a low swell; touch players prefer 2lb 8oz-2lb 10oz with a mid swell. Junior bat weights vary by size - a size 5 typically weighs 2lb 2oz-2lb 4oz.
An English willow club bat lasts one to three seasons of regular play with proper oiling, knocking-in and toe-guard protection. A Kashmir willow bat lasts slightly longer because of its density. Replace when the face develops structural cracks rather than surface seams.
Yes, we ship cricket bats to every UK postcode by tracked courier, with free delivery on orders over £100. Pre-knocked bats are prepared in-house before dispatch, which adds 1-2 working days to standard delivery times.
A well-maintained Grade 1 English willow bat lasts one to three full seasons of regular club play. Kashmir willow bats often last longer in tape-ball cricket. Regular oiling, careful storage and toe-guard fitting all extend lifespan considerably.
Fore Sports is a UK-based cricket specialist supplying clubs, schools and individual players across England, Wales and Scotland. Every bat in our range is sourced direct from established willow makers and personally inspected for grain consistency, pressing quality and pickup before it's listed.

Order with confidence — free UK delivery on orders over £100, secure checkout with multiple payment options, and easy returns if your bat isn't quite right. Our cricket team is on hand by email and phone to help you pick the right size, willow grade and weight for your game.