SGM Cricket Bats is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. We handcraft English willow cricket bats and supply a full range of cricket gear including batting gloves, pads, thigh guards, bags, and training balls. We offer free local pickup in Melbourne and ship Australia-wide.

Yes. SGM Cricket specialises in custom-made English willow cricket bats built to your specifications. Choose your preferred weight (2.6 to 2.12 lbs), bat profile, spine height, toe shape, and handle grip type. Custom bats are available across all three grades. See the full custom bat process or contact the SGM team.

Yes. SGM Cricket ships all products Australia-wide. Free local pickup is also available for customers in Melbourne. Contact us for current shipping rates and estimated delivery timeframes.

Most adult club cricketers perform best with a bat in the 2.7 to 2.9 lb range. Lighter bats (2.6 to 2.7 lbs) suit players who value bat speed against pace. Heavier bats (2.9 to 2.12 lbs) suit stronger players who want more power. If it feels heavy after 30 seconds of shadow drives, it is too heavy. SGM Cricket offers custom weights across all grades.

For Australian club cricketers, a Players Grade English willow bat in the 2.7 to 2.9 lb range is the best all-round choice. Grade 1 English willow delivers the balance of power, timing, and durability needed across Australian conditions. SGM's Players Grade bats are handmade in Melbourne and can be custom-built to your exact specifications.

English willow is lighter, more fibrous, and produces a superior ping and feel, making it the preferred choice for serious club, representative, and professional cricketers. Kashmir willow is denser, heavier, and more affordable but does not perform at the same level. SGM Cricket specialises exclusively in English willow bats: Performance Grade, Players Grade, and Reserve Edition.

Yes. SGM Cricket custom makes junior bats to the appropriate size and weight for younger players. Contact us to discuss the right fit for a junior cricketer.

Performance Grade bats use Grade 2 English willow with fewer grains and a denser face, built for hard-hitting players who want maximum ping and immediate responsiveness. Players Grade bats use Grade 1 premium English willow with straight, tightly-packed grains, delivering better timing, feel, and durability. Performance Grade offers better value; Players Grade offers superior willow quality and longer performance life.

The SGM Reserve Edition is a limited-release range made from Grade 1+ English willow, hand-selected from the top clefts of each batch. Only blades with 6 to 12 straight grains, minimal blemish, and exceptional natural hardness qualify. Produced in very small numbers each season and individually finished by hand, they require minimal knock-in and are for the most serious cricketers.

The grade indicates the quality of the willow. Grade 1 (Players Grade) has straight tight grain lines and minimal blemishes, the quality used by professional cricketers. Grade 2 (Performance Grade) has fewer grains and may have minor cosmetic marks but delivers excellent power. Grade 1+ (Reserve Edition) is hand-selected premium willow at the very top of the quality spectrum.

Bats with 6 or more straight grains are generally considered premium quality. More grains indicate slower-growing, harder willow with better durability. For club cricket, any bat with 4 to 12 straight grains will perform well with proper preparation. Read our full English willow grades guide.

Apply two to three light coats of raw linseed oil to the face, edges, and toe (not the handle), allowing 24 hours between coats. Use a bat mallet to tap the face for at least three to four cumulative hours, starting gently and increasing force gradually. After mallet work, spend two to three net sessions with an old ball before match play. Read our full bat knocking guide.

A well-maintained English willow bat in regular club cricket can last two to five seasons or more. Applying linseed oil each season, using anti-scuff sheet, and addressing surface cracking early with wood glue will significantly extend its life.

Air dry your bat after each innings. Never store it damp in a closed bag. Apply a light coat of raw linseed oil once or twice per season if the face looks dry. Inspect edges and toe after each use and treat cracking with wood glue. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not leave your bat in a car boot in Australian summer.

Yes. Minor surface cracking, edge damage, and toe splitting can often be repaired if caught early. Surface cracks should be treated with wood glue. More significant damage may require professional repair. Contact our Melbourne team to discuss repair options.

Yes. A thigh guard is strongly recommended for all batting cricketers. An unprotected thigh hit by a short-pitched delivery can cause serious bruising. Thigh guards are lightweight, fit inside or outside trousers, and take seconds to put on. For right-handed batters, the inner guard goes on the right thigh and outer on the left. SGM stocks thigh guards for left and right handed batters.

Measure the circumference of your hand around the palm just below the knuckles. Adults typically need Small, Medium, Large, or Extra Large. The glove should fit snugly without fingers bunching inside the finger rolls. Always check left-hand vs. right-hand orientation. Browse SGM batting gloves.

The leading hand takes the most impact. For right-handed batters, the left hand is the top hand and receives more hits, so right-hand batting gloves have heavier protection on the left glove. Left-handed batters need the opposite. Always confirm your orientation before purchasing.

Batting pads should fit from just above the ankle to just above the knee, with the knee roll over the kneecap. Look for triple-bolster front protection and a three-strap fastening system. SGM batting pads are available for left and right handed batters in adult and junior sizes.

Yes. SGM Cricket offers custom cricket bags for clubs, schools, and representative teams, printed or embroidered in your club colours with your logo. Lead times are typically four to six weeks from design approval. Contact the SGM Cricket team to discuss requirements and pricing.

Look for a dedicated bat sleeve, a main compartment for pads, helmet, and gloves, plus accessory pockets. For senior club cricket, a wheelie bag is most practical. Prioritise heavy-duty water-resistant construction with reinforced handles and zip pulls for Australian conditions.

A 2-piece ball is made from two halves with a single seam and swings more readily, ideal for pace bowling practice. A 4-piece ball uses four sections with a more pronounced seam for better grip in seam and swing bowling. SGM stocks both red and white training balls in 2-piece and 4-piece.

Red balls are used in traditional red-ball formats such as two-day club cricket. White balls are used in limited-overs and T20 cricket. SGM stocks both in 2-piece and 4-piece construction for individual players and club bulk orders.

Custom bats at SGM Cricket are completed in 3 weeks from the date you select your willow. The process includes shaping with progress photos, machine knock-in, quality check, and a ping test video before delivery. See the full custom bat process.

Custom cricket bats at SGM Cricket are priced at $699 (Performance Grade), $799 (Players Grade), and $899 (Reserve Edition). All prices are in AUD and include machine knock-in and a ping test video. View full pricing and process.

Yes. Free local pickup is available for customers in Melbourne. Select local pickup at checkout or contact us to arrange collection directly.

A beginner needs a bat, batting pads, batting gloves, and a helmet as the core essentials. A thigh guard and box are also strongly recommended. A basic kit bag with a bat sleeve is sufficient to start. Contact us in Melbourne for advice on a complete starter kit.