Cricket Bat Sizes
Also known as: cricket bat size, junior cricket bat size, cricket bat size chart, Harrow bat, short handle cricket bat, size 6 cricket bat
Cricket bat size is chosen by height, not age. Junior bats run from size 0 to size 6, then Harrow, and adult bats come in sizes such as short handle and long handle. A 10-year-old usually needs a size 3 or 4, depending on height. In your stance, the top of the handle should line up with the inner groin of your front leg.
Bat makers size bats by the player's height. Two major makers' published charts agree on the junior bands. Size 0 is for players up to about 4 ft. Size 1 is 4 ft to 4 ft 3 in. Size 2 is 4 ft 3 in to 4 ft 6 in. Size 3 is 4 ft 6 in to 4 ft 9 in. Size 4 is 4 ft 9 in to 5 ft. Size 5 is 5 ft to 5 ft 3 in. Size 6 is 5 ft 3 in to 5 ft 5 in, and Harrow is about 5 ft 5 in to 5 ft 7 in.
Above Harrow, makers offer small adult, short handle and long handle sizes. Their height bands differ slightly between brands. One maker also lists rough ages, such as 9 to 11 years for size 3 and 10 to 12 for size 4. Height is the better guide. Children of the same age vary a lot in height.
To check the fit, stand in your stance with the toe of the bat against the outside of your back foot. The top of the handle should line up with the inner groin of your front leg. A bat that is too long or heavy makes it hard to play straight and on time. Avoid buying a bat to grow into. Under Law 5, no bat may be longer than 38 in (96.52 cm). For bats bigger than size 6, the handle may be no more than 52% of the overall length.
Tips by skill level
Measure the player's height without shoes and check the maker's chart. Then do the stance check in the shop before you buy.
When a player is between sizes, try both in a stance and with shadow shots. Choose the smaller one if the larger bat drags the swing.
Example
A 10-year-old measures 4 ft 8 in. The chart points to a size 3. In his stance, the top of the handle reaches his front-leg groin. The size fits.
Why it matters
The right size lets a player hold a proper stance and swing straight. A bat that is too big can build bad habits that take a long time to undo.
Common mistakes
- Choosing by age instead of height
- Buying a bigger bat for a junior to grow into
- Skipping the stance check because the label says the right size
- Assuming adult size names cover the same height band at every brand
Frequently asked questions
What size cricket bat for a 10 year old?
Usually a size 3 or 4, but go by height, not age. Makers' charts put size 3 at about 4 ft 6 in to 4 ft 9 in and size 4 at about 4 ft 9 in to 5 ft. In a stance, the top of the handle should reach the inner groin of the front leg.
How do I know what size cricket bat I need?
Measure your height and use the maker's size chart. Then stand in your stance with the toe of the bat against the outside of your back foot. The top of the handle should line up with the inner groin of your front leg.
What is a Harrow size cricket bat?
Harrow is the size between a junior size 6 and the adult sizes. Makers' charts list it for players about 5 ft 5 in to 5 ft 7 in tall.
Sources
- Gray-Nicolls: bat size guide (sizes 0-6, Harrow, SH, LH by height, with approximate ages)
- Kookaburra: cricket size guide (sizes 0-6, Harrow, Small Adult, SH, LH by height)
- Kookaburra: junior bat selector (stance height check)
- MCC Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026), Law 5.7.1 and 5.7.3 (Bat size limits), pp. 22-23
Related terms
- Choosing a Cricket BatChoose a cricket bat by size first, then weight and pickup, then willow and profile. Size goes by your height, using the maker's chart. The bat should feel light and balanced in your stance, not just light on the scales. English willow suits hard-ball cricket. Kashmir willow suits beginners and soft-ball play.
- Bat Weight and PickupBat weight is what the bat weighs on the scales. Pickup is how heavy it feels when you lift it in your stance. It depends on how the weight is spread along the bat. Choose a bat you can swing freely and control. A simple check is holding it out at arm's length with your top hand.
- Kashmir WillowKashmir willow is willow grown in the Kashmir region and used for many entry-level and junior bats. It is naturally denser and more durable than English willow but lacks some of its 'ping'. It suits beginners, juniors and soft-ball cricket. English willow is the usual choice for regular hard-ball play.
- Cricket Batting StanceA good cricket batting stance is balanced and still, with your feet about shoulder-width apart, usually either side of the popping crease. Bend your knees slightly and keep your weight on the balls of your feet. Hold your head still, with your eyes level and looking down the pitch. Side-on, open and raised-bat stances all work if you are balanced at release.
- BackliftThe backlift is the upward movement of the bat before the batter plays a stroke — the height, direction, and angle of the backlift influence bat path and ultimately the direction of the shot.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.