The way you grip the cricket bat is fundamental to developing a good batting technique. Even a slight adjustment in your grip can significantly impact your ability to play shots on different sides of the wicket and control the direction of the ball. In this article, we will guide you on how to how a cricket bat properly.

4 Effective Ways to Hold A Cricket Bat

Whether you are a newcomer to the game or an experienced player looking to refine your skills, understanding and mastering these grips can make a notable difference in your batting performance.

Conventional V-Grip

The conventional V-grip is the most widely used grip in cricket and serves as an excellent starting point for beginners. To achieve this grip, align both of your hands along the back of the bat handle, creating two separate V shapes between your thumbs and index fingers. The main advantage of this grip is its neutrality, allowing you to play shots comfortably on all sides of the wicket.

To get your hands in the right position for the V-grip, follow these steps:

• Lay your cricket bat on the ground with the face pointing downwards and the handle towards you.
• Hold your hands out in front of you and create the V shapes with your thumbs as shown in the reference picture. Right-handed batsmen should have their right hand on top, while left-handers should have their left hand on top.
• Bend down and place your hands on the back of the bat handle, maintaining a small gap between them.
• Wrap your fingers around the handle, picking up the bat. Ensure not to grip the bat too tightly, keeping the bottom hand fairly loose for better maneuverability.

Advantages: Allows you to play shots comfortably on all sides of the wicket.

Disadvantages: None

See also: What Size Cricket Bat Do I Need? A Comprehensive Guide

Closed Face Grip

 

Some batsmen find it easier to play shots on the leg side due to the closed face grip, which angles the bat face slightly towards that direction. This grip requires the bottom hand to grip the bat more firmly, making it challenging to angle the bat towards the off side. This grip often develops naturally over time, and if it works for you, there’s no need to make adjustments.

Advantages: More comfort in playing shots through the leg-side.

Disadvantages: May hinder your ability to play shots through the off-side. Requires smarter shot selection for off-side deliveries.

Open Face Grip

 

The open face grip is less commonly used but can be effective against bowlers delivering yorkers. Batsmen like Jos Buttler use this grip to hit full deliveries square of the wicket on the off-side. To adopt this grip, rotate the bat slightly in your hands as the bowler runs in to bowl, exposing the face of the bat to the off side.

Advantages: Effective in hitting full deliveries square on the off-side.

Disadvantages: Not suitable for regular use as it compromises leg-side playability.

Don Bradman’s Grip

The legendary Don Bradman had a unique grip that contributed to his immense success as a batsman. In his grip, the bottom hand went underneath the bat, causing the face of the bat to close towards the leg side. This grip naturally facilitated cross-batted shots and helped him keep the ball down when playing through the leg side.

Advantages: Natural rolling of wrists on cross-batted shots, making it easier to keep the ball down. Facilitates leg-side shots.

Disadvantages: Feels unnatural for some players. Can be challenging to play shots through the off-side.

How High Should You Grip A Cricket Bat Handle?

The height of your grip on the cricket bat handle can vary from player to player. Some prefer a higher grip like Adam Gilchrist, attributing it to their ability to hit the ball harder. Others, like Ricky Ponting, prefer a lower grip for better control. As a beginner, start with your hands close to the middle of the handle, leaving room for adjustment in the future.

Conclusion

That concludes our guide on how to hold a cricket bat. Overall, mastering the correct grip for a cricket bat is crucial for developing a solid batting technique. The conventional V-grip provides a balanced starting point for all players, but some may find success with closed, open, or even Don Bradman’s grip. Experiment with these grips, find what feels comfortable for you, and practice consistently to refine your technique. Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and the key to success lies in understanding and adapting your grip to suit your style of play. Happy batting and visit Cricket Next for more information on cricket!