Everyone Focuses on the Willow. The Handle Decides How It Feels.
Cricket bat shopping conversations go like this: "How many grains?" "What grade?" "English willow?" Almost nobody asks about the handle. And yet — the handle is the part you touch. It determines how the bat balances in your hands, how quickly you can whip it through the line, and whether your bottom hand dominates or your top hand controls the shot.
At TopCricketStore in Edison NJ, we fit bats to players daily. The number-one adjustment that transforms a bat from "feels wrong" to "feels like mine" isn't changing the blade — it's understanding the handle. This guide covers every handle variable: size (Short Handle vs Long Handle), shape (oval vs round), and how each affects your batting.
Short Handle (SH) vs Long Handle (LH): It's About Height, Not Preference
Short Handle and Long Handle are NOT style choices. They correspond to player height:
- Short Handle (SH): For players 5'9" and under. The standard adult bat size. Roughly 85% of adult bats sold in the US are Short Handle.
- Long Handle (LH): For players 5'10" and above. The blade is the same size — only the handle is roughly 1 inch longer. This extra length prevents taller players from having to crouch too low at the crease.
Using the wrong handle size creates two problems: (1) a player who's 6'1" using a Short Handle bat has to bend excessively at the waist, which pulls the head off the line of the ball; (2) a player who's 5'7" using a Long Handle bat has the blade too far from their body, reducing control.
The test: Stand in your batting stance holding the bat. The toe of the bat should rest on the ground with the handle reaching roughly to your hip crease. If the bat toe is off the ground, the handle is too short. If the bat toe touches the ground with the handle well above your hip, the handle is too long.
Oval vs Round Handle: The Shape That Decides Your Grip
Cricket bat handles come in two cross-section shapes:
- Oval handle: Flattened front-to-back. Your hands naturally index to the same position every time because the oval shape forces your fingers into a consistent grip. This is preferred by classical batsmen who play with a high front elbow and want repeatable hand positioning.
- Round handle: Circular cross-section. Allows your hands to rotate more freely around the handle. Preferred by wristy players who manipulate the bat face through the shot — subcontinent-style batsmen who play late, use their bottom hand to guide the ball, and work the ball into gaps rather than driving through the line.
Most SS bats use oval handles. Most SG bats offer both oval and round options depending on the model. Kookaburra bats default to an oval-adjacent shape that's slightly rounder than traditional SS oval.
Handle Construction: Singapore Cane + Rubber = Vibration Damping
Every quality cricket bat handle is made from Singapore cane (a type of rattan) laminated with rubber strips. The cane provides strength and flex; the rubber strips between the cane layers absorb vibration. A handle with more rubber inserts feels softer on mis-hits — less sting through the hands. A handle with fewer rubber inserts transmits more feel, which some batsmen prefer for judging the quality of contact.
Handles are NOT solid wood. A solid wood handle would transmit every vibration directly to your hands and would snap within one season. The cane+rubber lamination is the universal standard for all brands.
Handle Thickness: One Grip vs Two Grips
Handle thickness is modified by the number of grips you install:
- Single grip: The standard. Thinner handle, more direct feel for the shot. Better for top-hand dominant players who drive through the line.
- Double grip (two grips layered): Thicker handle, more surface for the bottom hand. Better for bottom-hand dominant players who manipulate the bat face and work the ball square.
Adding or removing a grip changes the bat's effective handle thickness by roughly 2mm. Try both. If your bottom hand feels disconnected from the bat, add a second grip. If your shots feel numb and you can't feel where the ball made contact, remove one.
Bats We Stock With Short Handle Options
Most of our bat inventory is Short Handle — it fits the majority of adult players. Here are specific Short Handle models we carry:
- SS GG Smacker Blaster English Willow Cricket Bat Short Handle — $249.99: Aggressive profile with thick edges for power hitters. Oval handle for repeatable grip. Shop SS GG Smacker →
- SS Master 2000 English Willow Cricket Bat Short Handle — $259.99: Classic profile with balanced pickup. The most popular SS bat in US club cricket. Oval handle. Shop SS Master 2000 →
- SS Ton Slasher English Willow Cricket Bat Short Handle — $279.99: TON-range bat with a slightly lower middle for subcontinent-style play. Available with oval handle. Shop SS Ton Slasher →
- SS Valarie 2.0 English Willow Cricket Bat Short Handle — $199.99: Entry-level English willow with a forgiving profile. Good first English willow bat for a player graduating from Kashmir willow. Shop SS Valarie 2.0 →
When Handle Type Matters Most
Playing on bouncy wickets (Australia-style turf, US matting): Oval handle + single grip. You need repeatable hand positioning because the extra bounce means less time to adjust your grip between deliveries.
Playing on low, slow wickets (subcontinent-style): Round handle or oval with double grip. You have more time to see the ball and need the ability to manipulate the bat face late for working the ball into gaps.
Power hitting / T20: Round handle + double grip. Maximum bottom-hand control for generating bat speed and accessing all areas of the ground.
Handle Maintenance
The handle is the part of the bat most exposed to sweat, dirt, and friction from your gloves. Over time, the grip compresses and the rubber layers inside the handle can degrade if moisture penetrates. Two maintenance rules:
- Replace your grip when it smooths out. A grip with no texture channels sweat directly into the handle. Replace every 4-6 months of regular play.
- Store your bat horizontally in a dry place. Storing a bat vertically (handle up, toe down) lets moisture from the toe travel up through the blade into the handle. Horizontal storage in a dry room preserves the handle's rubber laminations.
Why Buy Your Bat from TopCricketStore?
Handle size and shape matter — and they're almost impossible to evaluate online. You can't feel an oval vs round handle through a product photo. You can't test the pickup of a Short Handle vs Long Handle bat without holding it in your stance.
Our Edison NJ store has every SS, SG, Kookaburra, and MRF bat on display. You can pick up five different bats, feel the handle shape, swing them in your stance, and walk out with the one that actually fits your hands and your game. Can't make it to the store? Call or WhatsApp us — we'll talk through your height, your grip style, and your playing conditions, then recommend the right bat with the right handle. Free shipping over $100. Free 7-day returns if the bat doesn't feel right when it arrives.
Not Sure About Handle Size or Shape? We'll Figure It Out Together
This isn't a decision a product page can make for you. Call or WhatsApp our store. We'll ask three questions (your height, where you hold your bottom hand, what kind of wickets you play on) and point you to the right bat with the right handle. Thirty seconds of conversation beats thirty minutes of guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a Short Handle or Long Handle bat?
If you're 5'9" or under: Short Handle. 5'10" or above: Long Handle. Stand in your stance — the bat toe should rest on the ground with the handle reaching your hip crease. If it doesn't, you have the wrong size.
Can I convert a Short Handle bat to a Long Handle?
No. The handle is built into the bat during manufacturing. You cannot extend it. Buy the correct size from the start.
What's the difference between oval and round handles?
Oval = flattened shape that indexes your hands consistently. Better for classical technique, driving through the line. Round = circular shape that allows freer hand rotation. Better for wristy, bottom-hand play.
Does adding a second grip change the bat's balance?
Minimally. A second grip adds about 15-20g to the handle end, which shifts the balance point slightly toward the handle — making the bat feel marginally lighter to pick up. The effect is subtle and most players won't notice it.
How do I tell if my handle is damaged?
Two signs: (1) a clicking or creaking sound when you twist the handle — indicates the cane laminations are separating, (2) the handle feels loose inside the blade splice — indicates the glue joint is failing. Both require professional repair.
Which handle type does Virat Kohli use?
Kohli uses an oval handle with a single grip — classical setup for a top-hand dominant player who drives through the line. His MRF bats are built to this specification.
Browse our full bat range: Cricket Bats — All Brands →
Not sure about your handle size? Stop by our Edison NJ store. We'll measure you in your batting stance and recommend the correct size — it takes 30 seconds.