Cricket bat grading is one of the most misunderstood parts of buying a new bat. At Neon, we're here to help clear this up for you.
Terms like bat willow grades, English Willow quality, and number of grains are often used to describe differences between bats, but without much explanation of what those differences actually represent.
This guide is designed to clearly explain cricket bat grading, how bat willow grades are determined, and what features like grains and blemishes tell you about a bat.
What Is Cricket Bat Grading and How Does It Work at Neon?
At Neon, cricket bat grading is the process we use to categorise bats based on the cosmetic appearance of the face of the bat.
Our grading predominantly focuses on the "hitting zone", covering 1 inch from the bottom of the toe to the bottom of the labels, but will also take into account the face of the blade as a whole where applicable.
However, the edges and rear of the blade are not taken into account as part of our grading process.
Natural features such as:
- Grain count and alignment
- Discolouration or marks within the hitting zone
- Other cosmetic characteristics of the willow
are what determine how a bat sits within Neon’s grading system.
For a full breakdown of how we define each grade, visit our Willow Grading Guide.
What Are Bat Willow Grades Based On?
Bat willow grades are based on appearance and visual consistency, rather than a measure of how a bat will perform.
All Neon Cricket bats are:
- Handcrafted from English Willow
- Pressed using the same professional methods
- Shaped to deliver the perfect balance between performance and pick-up
Bat grading helps differentiate:
- How clean the bat face appears
- The number and consistency of grains
- The level of natural cosmetic character visible in the hitting zone
Choosing the Cricket Bat
When selecting a bat, the most important factors remain:
- Weight and pickup
- Shape and profile
- Confidence when you pick it up
Grading simply helps distinguish how the bat looks, not what it’s capable of.
To explore our full range of Neon Cricket bats and available willow grades, view the full collection here.