THERE'S MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF HANDLE?

Choosing the Right Cricket Bat Handle for Your Batting Style

Cricket bat handles come in various shapes and sizes, each designed to complement different batting styles. Just like bat profiles, the shape of a handle can significantly affect your performance on the field. At Cooper Cricket, we specialize in three key handle shapes: round, semi-oval, and oval. Understanding the differences between these shapes is crucial in selecting a bat that enhances your technique and suits your individual playing style.

• Round Handle

The round handle is ideal for players who are bottom-hand dominant. If you prefer playing off the front foot and using your bottom hand to manipulate the ball, particularly for shots square of the wicket, a round handle might be the best choice. However, it’s not the most suitable for players who need to develop a top-hand dominant technique, as the round shape allows the bottom hand to take over, which can hinder playing straight.

• Semi-Oval Handle

Semi-oval handles offer versatility for players who are strong with the bottom hand but also need to play top-hand dominant shots. The slightly taller shape on the bottom hand of the handle helps balance grip, making it easier to execute top-hand dominant shots like drives and back-foot punches. This shape allows for better control and precision, especially when maintaining a straight bat.

• Oval Handle

An oval handle is often the preferred choice for players, and for good reason. It provides excellent control for top-hand dominant shots while still allowing for a firm grip during bottom-hand dominant shots like pull shots and cut shots. The oval shape also ensures that the bat is in an optimal position for straight bat shots, making it an excellent choice for young players who are developing good batting habits. Another significant advantage of an oval handle is its impact on the bat's pickup. By adding more weight into the hands, the bat feels lighter, which is often not the case with round handles.

 

Understanding Cricket Bat Handle Widths

Cricket bat handles come in various widths, each catering to different player needs and preferences. The four main widths are thin, standard, thick, and ultra-thick, and each has its own advantages and considerations.

• Thin Handle

Thin handles are often advantageous for younger players with smaller hands. They provide a comfortable grip for smaller hands, but there are some downsides. A thin handle can become quite flexible, which might affect control. Additionally, it can make the bat feel heavier, especially if it’s a low-middle bat, because less weight is concentrated in the hands.

• Standard Handle

This is the most common handle width found across most cricket bat brands. A standard handle is ideal for about 90% of players, offering a balanced thickness that works well for most playing styles and hand sizes.

• Thick Handle

Thick handles are suitable for players who typically like to double-grip their bat handles. Instead of using two grips, a thicker handle allows for just one grip, providing the same feel without the added bulk. This option is great for players with larger hands, but it’s important to note that a thicker handle adds more weight to the bat, typically an ounce or two.

• Ultra-Thick Handle

Ultra-thick handles are for players who prefer to use multiple grips, sometimes up to three. This adds significant weight to the bat, so choosing an ultra-thick handle is usually based on personal preference, particularly regarding hand size.

 

At Cooper Cricket, we can customize any type of handle to suit your style. It’s very important to choose a handle that feels right for you. As you progress in your cricket career and acquire multiple bats, consistency in handle choice is key to maintaining and improving your technique. The right handle should always aid your technique, not work against it, making it a crucial aspect of selecting the perfect cricket bat.