Many budding cricketers want to know how to improve their batting skills but aren't sure where to start. Follow these tips and you'll be hitting balls consistently in no time.

Cricket Batting Tips

1. Keep your eye on the ball - This is crucial and is often ignored. Track the ball all the way from the bowler's hand.
2. Stance - Stand sideways on with your head forward. Your head and front shoulder should point towards the bowler and your feet should be shoulder-width apart with your toes lined up with the centre stump. Your weight should be balanced to allow for movement back and forward.
3. Bat grip - Hold the bat firmly with two fingers and thumb. Your hands should be close to each other so that it is comfortable. Right-handed batsmen should hold the bat with their left hand facing the bowler and right hand on top of their left hand.
4. Tap the bat on the ground line - This tells the bowler that you are ready to bat. Keep the bat as straight as you can to maintain correct form.
5. Swing the bat downward - Push your bat downwards to hit it after the ball bounces. Put your lead leg forward and follow with your bat to hit the ball.
6. Play to your strengths - For instance, a front foot player versus a back foot player.
7. Remember the basics - If your form is dropping, practice the basics until you are hitting well. Refocus and check your grip, stance and batswing.

Best Cricket Bats

Here are our picks for the best junior cricket bats around:

English Willow Bats:

English willow is preferred by serious cricketers due to its strong performance when striking the ball.

DSC Eureka Special Edition Cricket Bat - Junior English Willow

The ultra precise Eureka lets you be fearless with your shots. Eureka features full profile and higher sweetspot resulting in extended power zone and exquisite pick up. It also combines massive edges with a pronounced bow leading to increase power and high maneuverability. The entire range is handcrafted for excellence and superior performance so you can be ready to strike from the very first delivery.

Endorsed by Moises Henriques and made from the highest reserve grade players english willow

• Construction: Individually hand crafted from the highest reserve grade players english willow
• Sweet Spot: Mid to high blade profile ideally suited for high bounce pitches
• Face: Flatter face for technical top order batsmen and optimum balance.
• Handle: Oval handle for complete control and better wrist movement
• Profile: Full professional profile with higher extender sweet spot
• Edges: Maximum MCC regulation edges ≈40mm
• Bow: Slight bow
• Grip: Zig Zag/ Dynamic grip for better control
• Preparation- Knocking in and bat preparation required. Order the LRS knocking in service to get this bat match ready.

DSC Invincible Brave Cricket Bat - Junior English Willow

• Construction: Individually hand crafted from Premium Grade 1 English Willow
• Sweet Spot: Mid to low blade profile ideally suited for all round shot play
• Face: Flatter face for technical top order batsmen and optimum balance.
• Handle: Oval handle for complete control and better wrist movement
• Profile: Full professional profile with amazing pick up and balance with a hint of duck bill
• Edges: Maximum MCC regulation edges ≈40mm
• Bow: Slight bow
• Grip: Dynamic grip for better control
• Preparation: Knocking in and bat preparation required. Order the LRS knocking in service to get this bat match ready.

Gray Nicolls Ultra 1100 Junior English Willow Cricket Bat (2021-22)

This revolutionary design allows maximum willow over a large area to create an enormous sweet spot. Featuring our exclusive Ultrabow technology, with a midprofile and ACCU-DRIVE flat face which enhances rebound and control, the Ultra will produce enormous power for any player at any level.

• Select Grade 1 English Willow
• Pre-Prepared Readyplay (Still requires a few net sessions before matchplay)
• Toe Guard 
• Bat Weight- 1 lb 14 oz
• Free Bat Cover

Kashmir Willow Bats:

Kashmir willow bats are cheaper than English Willow but the player will not achieve the same power. Kashmir bats are ideal for beginners and power hitters.

Kookaburra Kahuna Pro 9.0 Junior Cricket Bat- Kashmir Willow

Kookaburra's most iconic bat collection, the Kahuna Pro 9.0 bat features a classic profile suitable for entry level cricket

• Grade 3 Grain Face Kashmir Willow
• Pro Shield facing
• Traditional profile
• Chevron grip

Gray Nicolls Maax Strike Blue Readyplay Cricket Bat - Kashmir Willow

A stricking new season Blue gives a great look, light pick up and mid to high sweet spot to hit that ball to all corners of the cricket field. 

• Junior Cricket Bat
• Kashmir Willow
• Light pick up

Readyplay cricket bat. No further knocking in required, a great entry junior cricket bat.

DSC Pearla Impress Cricket Bat - Junior Kashmir Willow

• Made from premium Kashmir willow
• Handcrafted 
• Traditional shape for maximum stability and power
• Entry level bat 
• Factory knocked in and ready to play