You joined a university cricket club. You've been borrowing kit for nets. And now, with the season coming, you want your own gear — but you don't want to drop $500 on stuff you might only use for a semester.
This is the most common question we get from new players. Here is the honest answer, broken down by what matters, what doesn't, and exactly how much you should spend at each level.
Start With Three Things (Not Everything)
You don't need a full kit bag on day one. Most clubs have shared pads, gloves, and sometimes even spare bats. Buy these three first:
- A bat — the one thing you truly want to own
- A helmet — never share headgear
- Pads — optional if the club provides them, but nice to have your own
Everything else — gloves, thigh guards, arm guards, boxes — can come later or be borrowed.
1. The Bat: English Willow vs Kashmir Willow
At 6 feet tall you need a Short Handle bat. That is the adult standard — don't let anyone sell you a Long Handle unless you're 6'4" or above.
Now the real decision: English Willow or Kashmir Willow?
Kashmir Willow (Budget Pick — $40-$125)
Kashmir willow comes from trees grown in India. It is harder, denser, and takes longer to "play in." The ping off the bat is slightly dead compared to English willow, but for a beginner facing medium-pace bowling on artificial or matting wickets, you won't notice the difference.
If you're playing once a week for a university social side, a Kashmir willow bat is the smart buy. You get a real cricket bat for the price of a night out.
English Willow (Performance Pick — $200-$850)
English willow is softer, lighter, and the ball comes off the face faster. It's what professionals use. Grade 1 English willow (the best) can run $500+. Grade 2 and 3 bats sit in the $200-$350 range and are excellent for serious club players.
For a beginner, English willow is nice but not necessary. If you have the budget and plan to play for years, buy once and buy right. If you're testing the waters, Kashmir willow will serve you perfectly well.
What We Stock (Real Prices)
- SS Cannon Kashmir Willow — $105. Solid beginner-intermediate bat from a brand that makes Test-match gear.
- SS 281 Junior Kashmir Willow — $40. Light pickup, good for new players.
- MRF Bolt Premier Kashmir Willow — $125. MRF's entry-level offering with a thick edge profile.
- MRF Carnage GILL 77 English Willow — $225. Grade 3 English willow, excellent mid-range option.
- Kookaburra Aura 4.1 English Willow — $335. Grade 2, light pickup, huge sweet spot.
- SG Dhruv Jurel Players English Willow — $550. Grade 1, professional-grade bat.
Our recommendation for a beginner: Spend $40-$125 on a Kashmir willow bat. Learn your game. Upgrade to English willow next season if you're still playing. If you know you're committed, jump to the $200-$350 English willow range and you'll never look back.
2. The Helmet: Buy New. Always.
Never buy a second-hand helmet. You don't know if it's been dropped, cracked, or taken a blow. The foam inside degrades over time. A helmet that looks fine can fail on impact.
Look for:
- Adjustable grill — it should sit 2-3 finger-widths from your face
- BS7928:2013 certification — the British safety standard for cricket helmets
- Proper fit — snug but not tight, no wobble when you shake your head
- Steel grill, not plastic — even at entry level, steel is non-negotiable
What We Stock
- Forma Carbon X Lite Adult Helmet — $80. Lightweight carbon fibre shell with steel grill. Our best-selling adult helmet.
- DSC Edge Pro Junior Helmet — $55. Good option for smaller head sizes, adjustable fit.
Our recommendation: The Forma Carbon X Lite at $80. It's the helmet you'll use for years. At half the price of premium Masuri or Shrey models, it's genuinely good value.
3. Pads: Second-Hand is Smart
You mentioned Vinted — that's a smart call for pads. Batting pads don't degrade in a way that compromises safety. As long as the straps aren't torn and the foam hasn't collapsed, used pads are perfectly fine.
If you buy new, expect:
- Entry-level adult pads: $40-$50 (basic foam, 2-3 straps)
- Mid-range: $60-$80 (better foam, reinforced knee, lighter)
- Premium: $100+ (cane-filled, ultra-light, pro-level protection)
What We Stock
- EM Maxxum 4.0 Adult Pads — $70. Good mid-range option, reinforced knee bolster.
- Gravity Adult Batting Pads — $65. Lightweight, ambidextrous design.
- Adidas Pellara 5.0 Junior Pads — $40. If Adidas makes your size, solid value.
Our recommendation: Check Vinted first. If you don't find anything, the EM Maxxum pads at $70 will last you multiple seasons.
What You Can Absolutely Skip (For Now)
- Batting gloves — club spares are usually fine. Buy your own when the velcro on the club ones gives out.
- Thigh guard / arm guard / chest guard — borrow from the kit bag. You might never feel you need them.
- Spikes — trainers work on artificial wickets. Buy cricket shoes when you're playing on grass regularly.
- Kit bag — a regular duffel bag works. Upgrade when you have enough gear to justify one.
- A box (abdominal guard) — actually, buy this. It's $10. Wearing someone else's is grim. Buy your own box today.
Your First Kit: Three Budget Levels
The Student Budget — ~$130 Total
- SS 281 Junior Kashmir Willow bat — $40
- Forma Carbon X Lite helmet — $80
- Abdominal guard — $10
- Borrow pads from the club
The Serious Beginner — ~$270 Total
- SS Cannon Kashmir Willow bat — $105
- Forma Carbon X Lite helmet — $80
- EM Maxxum 4.0 pads — $70
- Abdominal guard — $10
The Committed Player — ~$430 Total
- MRF Carnage English Willow bat — $225
- Forma Carbon X Lite helmet — $80
- EM Maxxum 4.0 pads — $70
- Catching gloves (Gray Nicolls MCP) — $30
- Abdominal guard — $10
- Kit bag — $15
FAQ
What weight bat should I get?
At 6 feet and new to cricket, look for a bat between 2lb 8oz and 2lb 10oz. Don't go heavier — you'll be late on every shot and your bottom hand will take over. Lighter is almost always better for a beginner.
Should I knock in my bat?
Yes, if it's English willow. Kashmir willow bats usually come pre-knocked. For English willow, spend 2-3 hours with a mallet oiling and knocking the face and edges before you face a ball. Skip this step and your bat will crack on the first hard new ball.
Can I use a junior bat as an adult?
At 6 feet, no. You need a Short Handle (SH) adult bat. Junior bats have thinner handles and shorter blades. A Harrow size might work if you're particularly slight, but Short Handle is your correct size.
Do I need different bats for hard ball and tennis ball?
Yes. Tennis ball bats are lighter and flatter-faced. If your university society plays with a hard cricket ball (leather), buy a proper cricket bat. If it's tape-ball or tennis-ball cricket, get a tennis ball bat — they're cheaper and designed for it.
The Bottom Line
You're 6 feet tall, new to cricket, and playing for a university social side. Here's exactly what to do:
- Buy a Kashmir willow Short Handle bat — $40-$125
- Buy a new helmet — $80
- Buy your own abdominal guard — $10 (seriously, just do it)
- Check Vinted for second-hand pads — $20-$30
- Borrow everything else from the club
That's about $160 total and you'll have everything you actually need. Come back for English willow and matching kit when you're averaging 30 and the club captain knows your name.