Women cricketers are taking the sport by storm, and cricket bats play an integral role in their success. From power-hitting bats for T20s to lightweight all-rounders for Tests, the modern female cricketer has a broad selection of bats to choose from to suit their playing style. Women’s cricket has gained immense popularity in recent years, with more and more women taking up the sport professionally. As with any sport, the equipment used by players plays a crucial role in their performance, and the choice of cricket bat is no exception.
Female cricketers, like their male counterparts, have specific bat types and brands they depend on for peak performance on the field. This article will give us a more comprehensive look at some of the most sought bats used by female cricketers and why they differ from the others. These bats are tailored to meet the exact requirements of women cricketers, including lighter weight, a slimmer grasp, and thinner edges, among other factors.
What are the types of bats used in Women’s cricket?
The worldwide popularity of women’s cricket has surged in recent years, resulting in more countries having female cricket teams. As a result, bat manufacturers have begun offering bats specifically designed with the specific needs of women cricketers in mind, such as smaller hand sizes, lighter weights, and optimized grips for comfort and performance.
1) Short Handle Bats
“Short handle” bats are one of the most favored choices of female cricketers due to their smaller handle width. The narrower handle makes it easier and more comfortable for women with smaller hands to properly grip the bat, allowing for improved control and more powerful swings.
2) Lightweight Bats
Women cricketers tend to prefer a “lightweight” bat, which is made to be lighter than standard bats. This allows them to have better control over the bat, even when they don’t have as much physical strength as male players, since a lighter bat allows them to swing faster and generate more power in their shots.
What are the most popular bat brands in Women’s cricket?
Popular brands such as Gray-Nicolls, Kookaburra, and Gunn & Moore offer a wide selection of specialized cricket bats for women cricketers. These bats are designed to meet specific requirements such as weight, handle size, and balance, tailored to the needs of female players.
Top 8 Women Batters and their preferred cricket bats
Smriti Mandhana – SS Ton Ghazayan Xtreme
Creator: Jan Kruger-ICC | Credit: ICC via Getty Images Copyright: 2023 ICC
Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana is known for her stylish batting technique and power-hitting skills. Her preferred bat is the SS Ton Ghazayan Xtreme which is made of high-quality English willow and has a unique design that helps improve its performance. It has a big sweet spot and a wide profile, providing excellent control to the batsman. The bat has lightweight and is perfect for any condition.
Smriti Mandhana’s SS Ton Ghazayan Xtreme has a light pickup, short blade, and light handle, which helps her to swing the bat quickly and powerfully. It has thick edges that ensure maximum power while hitting the ball. The bat also has a curved back shape to help players achieve perfect balance and stability. The bat has an ergonomic shape and is designed to provide a comfortable grip. The handle provides extra control and feels on the ball, and the bat has a good rebound to help generate more power.
The bat also has a unique design which gives it an aerodynamic shape, making it easier to generate more speed and power. It has a low position of gravity, making it easier to play shots with high accuracy. Additionally, the Ultra Shield technology helps to reduce vibrations and provides an improved feel.
Meg Lanning – Gray-Nicolls GN Seven Star
Creator: Matthew Lewis | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2019 Getty Images
Australian power-hitter Meg Lanning has an aggressive style of play. Her preferred bat is the Gray-Nicolls GN Seven Star which is made from high-quality English willow and has a unique design that helps improve its performance. It has thick edges, a rounded toe, and a short blade which helps to generate maximum power and control. The bat also has a light pickup and ergonomic shape, providing extra comfort while playing shots. The handle is made from rubber and provides excellent grip and feel on the ball.
The Gray-Nicolls GN Seven Star has a unique core and Bionic Grip system that helps improve balance and stability while batting. The bat also has an aerodynamic shape, which helps generate more speed and power. The bat also features ShockWave technology which reduces vibrations and provides an improved feel. The bat is designed for maximum power-hitting and is perfect for playing big shots.
Stafanie Taylor – Adidas Libro Blade 3.2
Creator: Matt King-ICC | Credit: ICC via Getty Images Copyright: 2020 ICC
Stafanie Taylor is a West-Indian cricketer who is known for her aggressive batting style and power-hitting skills. Her preferred bat is the Adidas Libro Blade 3.2, which is made from high-quality English willow and has a unique design that helps improve its performance. It has thick edges, a curved back shape, and a big sweet spot that helps generate maximum power and control. The cricket bat also has an ergonomic shape and is designed to provide a comfortable grip. The handle provides extra control and feels on the ball, while the bat has a good rebound to help generate more power while playing shots.
Ellyse Perry – Gray Nicolls Atomic 5000
Creator: Kai Schwoerer | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images
Ellyse Perry is one of the most accomplished and experienced cricketers globally. She has been using the Gray Nicolls Atomic 5000 bat since 2017 and is known to be one of the very few players who use this bat. The bat provides her with great power and balance, making it the perfect choice for her batting style. The Gray Nicolls Atomic 5000 is made from unbleached, full-grain English Willow. This bat is designed to give the player maximum power and control due to its large and light profile.
Mithali Raj – SG Cobra
Creator: Fiona Goodall-ICC | Credit: ICC via Getty Images Copyright: 2022 ICC
Mithali Raj is one of the most prominent figures in women’s cricket. She has represented India in the international arena since 1999 and holds the record for the highest number of runs scored in women’s ODI cricket. Mitali typically uses SG Cobra, which is designed for power batting. It is crafted with a well-balanced middle-size profile and carbon-wrapped handle for superior control and durability.
The SG Cobra is made of Kashmir Willow, which is known for its buttery feel and power. It has a full-size profile with slightly extended edges to give the batsman maximum stability, control, and power. The handle is made of Carbon Fibre with a special grip combination for better balance and durability. The bat also features an elongated spine and a large sweet spot, allowing the batsman to hit the ball hard and far.
Suzie Bates – Kookaburra Kahuna
Creator: Kai Schwoerer-ICC | Credit: ICC via Getty Images Copyright: 2022 ICC
The former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates preferred to play with Kookaburra Kahuna bat. Kookaburra Kahuna is a range of cricket bats made by Kookaburra, an Australian company supplying top-quality cricket gear since 1890.
Alyssa Healy – Kookaburra Prodigy
Creator: Hannah Peters | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images
Australian icon Alyssa Healy prefers to play with the Kppkaburra Prodigy bats. The Kookaburra Prodigy is a range of cricket bats made by Kookaburra, an Australian company supplying top-quality cricket gear since 1890. They also boast Kookaburra’s unique ‘Advanced Dynamic’ technology for increased power and performance.
Harmanpreet Kaur – Spartan MSD 7
Creator: Icon Sportswire | Credit: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Copyright: ©Icon Sportswire
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur prefers to play with a Spartan MSD 7 bat. Her bat Spartan MSD 7, is a batting-oriented cricket bat designed for speed, power, and durability.
