The right bat,the right size,the right knock.
Buying guides for cricket bats, protective gear, shoes, balls and training equipment, starting with your height, your role and the cricket you play.
Find gear by part of your game
Batting, protection, bowling and fielding. Each section starts with your size and level.
Know your kit
A cricket bat size chart by height and age, from size 1 to Short Handle and Long Handle, plus how to judge weight and pick-up for juniors and adults.
What the BS 7928:2013 cricket helmet standard covers, how to check a helmet is certified, fit and adjustment, neck guards and when to replace a helmet.
English willow and Kashmir willow cricket bats compared: performance, grades, durability, price and which suits juniors, club players and tape-ball cricket.
Cricket questions, answered
What size bat does an adult need?
Most adults use Short Handle (SH). Players over about 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) may prefer Long Handle (LH).
Read: Cricket Bat Size Chart →How do I know a helmet meets the standard?
Look for the BS 7928:2013 marking and the ball-type rating (senior or junior ball) on the helmet and packaging.
Read: Cricket Helmet Safety →Does a higher grade English willow bat perform better?
Grades mostly describe appearance: straight grains, blemishes and color. Many players find good performance across grades; pick-up and balance matter more.
Read: English Willow vs Kashmir Willow Cricket Bats →How long does knocking in take?
Many makers suggest around 6 to 8 hours of mallet work in total, spread over several sessions. Follow the maker's instructions for your bat.
Read: How to Knock In a Cricket Bat →Sized and graded properly
Helmets and protection are compared on the standards they meet, and every helmet guide says which standard applies.
Each guide says who the kit suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.