Short Handle vs Long Handle Cricket Bat: Which is Right for You in 2026?

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Last updated: March 2026 — Information based on standard cricket bat regulations and hands-on assessment.

Walk into any cricket equipment shop and you will be confronted with bats labelled SH, LH, and SLH — or full descriptions like "Short Handle," "Long Handle," and "Short Long Handle." For most buyers, particularly first-time bat purchasers, these labels are confusing. Does it matter? Significantly — yet it is one of the most overlooked decisions in the bat-buying process.

The wrong handle length can affect your grip, your stance, your reach on drives, and even your tendency to get hit on the gloves. This guide covers everything you need to know about cricket bat handle types: the dimensions, the size chart by player height, how different pros use different sizes, and exactly which one you should buy.

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Understanding Cricket Bat Handle Types

A cricket bat consists of two main parts: the blade (the flat hitting surface) and the handle (the round or oval grip section). Handle length is the key variable that changes across the three main types. The blade length is largely standardised within a given size category (e.g., all adult bats use a Harrow blade or a full-size blade).

Short Handle (SH)

Short Handle is the standard adult bat size and by far the most common handle type in the market. When a bat is sold without any specific handle designation, it is almost always a Short Handle.

• Handle length: Approximately 27–29 cm (10.5–11.5 inches)
• Total bat length: Typically 85–86 cm (33.5 inches)
• Recommended for: Players 5'7" and above

Short Handle bats are the default because they suit the statistical average adult cricketer. The vast majority of professional cricketers, including most international players, use Short Handle bats.

Long Handle (LH)

Long Handle bats add approximately 1.5–2.5 cm to the handle length compared to Short Handle bats, with the total bat length increasing to around 87–88 cm.

• Handle length: Approximately 29–31 cm
• Total bat length: Typically 87–88 cm
• Recommended for: Very tall players (6'3" and above) or players with specific technique preferences
• Also known as: "Long Blade" or "Extended Handle" in some markets

Long Handle bats are significantly less common than Short Handle bats. Most sports shops carry a much smaller selection of Long Handle bats, and specific models in Long Handle format can be harder to find in India.

Short Long Handle (SLH)

Short Long Handle is the intermediate option — longer than a standard Short Handle but shorter than a full Long Handle. It is the choice for tall players who find the Short Handle slightly cramped but the full Long Handle unwieldy.

• Handle length: Approximately 28–30 cm
• Total bat length: Typically 86–87 cm
• Recommended for: Players 6'0"–6'3"

Many manufacturers offer this as an on-request or limited-run option rather than a standard catalogue item. When ordering online, check carefully whether the brand offers SLH for the specific model you want.

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Head-to-Head Comparison Table

Feature	Short Handle (SH)	Short Long Handle (SLH)	Long Handle (LH)
Handle Length	~27–29 cm	~28–30 cm	~29–31 cm
Total Bat Length	~85–86 cm	~86–87 cm	~87–88 cm
Recommended Height	Up to 6'0"	6'0"–6'3"	6'3"+
Recommended Age	15+ (adult)	15+ (adult)	17+ (tall adult)
Reach for Front Foot Drives	Standard	Extended	Maximum
Comfort on Back Foot	Excellent	Good	Can feel awkward
Balance	Best	Good	Slightly handle-heavy
Availability	Excellent	Moderate	Limited
Used by Most Pros	Yes	Some	Rare

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Size Chart: Handle Length by Player Height

This chart covers both junior and adult sizes for complete reference:

Size	Handle Type	Player Height	Approximate Age	Total Bat Length
Size 1	Junior	Under 4'3"	4–6 years	~58 cm
Size 2	Junior	4'3"–4'6"	6–7 years	~62 cm
Size 3	Junior	4'6"–4'9"	7–8 years	~65 cm
Size 4	Junior	4'9"–4'11"	8–9 years	~68 cm
Size 5	Junior	4'11"–5'2"	9–11 years	~72 cm
Size 6	Junior	5'2"–5'4"	11–13 years	~75 cm
Harrow	Junior-Adult	5'4"–5'7"	12–15 years	~80 cm
Short Handle (SH)	Adult	5'7"–6'0"	15+	~85–86 cm
Short Long Handle (SLH)	Adult	6'0"–6'3"	15+	~86–87 cm
Long Handle (LH)	Adult	6'3"+	17+	~87–88 cm

Important note: These are guidelines, not rigid rules. A player's technique, body proportions (arm length vs leg length), and personal preference all affect which handle feels right. A 5'10" cricketer with very long arms may prefer an SLH; a 6'1" cricketer with a compact stance may be perfectly comfortable with an SH.

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How to Check If Your Handle Length Is Correct

Here is a quick in-store check that any buyer can do:

1. Stand in your normal batting stance with the bat grounded.
2. The top of the handle (where the grip ends) should reach approximately to your hip or lower waist when the bat is held naturally at your side.
3. When you take your grip on the bat, your top hand should fall naturally at a comfortable position without reaching up uncomfortably or being cramped toward the bottom.
4. When you raise the bat to your backlift position, the movement should feel natural and unforced.

If the handle feels too short (you are reaching down to grip it comfortably), consider an SLH or LH. If it feels too long (your grip is uncomfortably high and your stance feels extended), stay with or return to SH.

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Which Professional Cricketers Use Which Handle Type?

The vast majority of international cricketers use Short Handle bats, even players who are quite tall. This is because:

1. Technique preference: Most professional batters are coached on Short Handle bats from an early age and have adapted their technique to suit.
2. Balance: SH bats tend to be better balanced — the blade-to-handle weight ratio is more neutral.
3. Bat control: A shorter handle gives slightly better control on horizontal bat shots (pull, cut, sweep).

However, some notable exceptions use Long Handle or SLH:

• Ben Stokes (England) — has used SLH bats for his powerful hitting style
• Kevin Pietersen — famously used a Long Handle bat at various points in his career, citing better reach for his expansive driving game
• Andre Russell (West Indies) — uses an extended handle for his power-hitting in T20 cricket

The pattern: aggressive power hitters and very tall players tend toward longer handles; technically precise players and shorter players tend toward Short Handle.

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How Handle Length Affects Your Batting Technique

Effect on Front Foot Driving

A longer handle gives you greater reach on front foot drives — the additional inches mean you can get closer to the pitch of the ball without lunging uncomfortably. For a tall player who naturally drives with a long stride, a Long Handle or SLH can help you play naturally through the line without compromising your balance.

For shorter players, a Long Handle bat can actually cause problems on the front foot — the extra reach means you tend to reach for the ball rather than driving through it, leading to a falling-away action that reduces power and accuracy.

Effect on Back Foot Play

The Long Handle bat typically provides slightly less advantage on back foot play compared to Short Handle. The extended handle can make horizontal bat shots (the pull and the cut) slightly harder to control because the bat arc is larger and takes a fraction longer to bring through. This is one reason why technically precise players who value their back-foot game tend to prefer Short Handle bats.

Effect on Sweep and Paddle Shots

The sweeping action is generally better served by a Short Handle bat. The compact handle gives better control on this horizontal bat shot and makes it easier to get low and play the ball close to the ground. Very tall players using Long Handle bats sometimes report that the sweep feels awkward because the extra handle length throws off their natural bending radius.

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Handle Shape: Oval vs Round

Separate from handle length, handles also differ in cross-section shape:

Oval handles: The most common type. Provide a natural reference point for hand positioning — the flat sides of the oval help your hands naturally align correctly. Recommended for most players.

Round handles: Give a more uniform feel in the hand. Preferred by some batters who rotate the bat face slightly (either deliberately for technical reasons or as a personal preference). Slightly harder to maintain consistent grip orientation.

Most Indian-manufactured bats (SG, SS, MRF, Kookaburra India range) use oval handles as standard. Some GM models use round handles. Check the specification before buying if this matters to you.

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Common Mistakes When Choosing Handle Length

Mistake 1: Buying Long Handle because it seems "bigger and better." Long Handle bats are not superior to Short Handle bats — they are simply designed for taller players. Buying an LH bat because it seems more premium is a common mistake that leads to poor technique and discomfort.

Mistake 2: Using a Short Handle bat that is too small for your height. Many adult players 5'10" and above who have always played with Short Handle bats are actually using bats that are slightly too short. If you frequently feel cramped at the crease or find yourself reaching down uncomfortably to grip the handle, try an SLH.

Mistake 3: Buying a Long Handle bat for a child. Junior sizes exist for a reason. Putting a child in a bat that is too long — even with an adjustable grip — leads to poor technique, compromised swing mechanics, and potential injury. Always use the size chart.

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Where to Buy the Right Size

Most online retailers in India provide the option to select handle type. When purchasing:

• SG bats: Most models available in SH and SLH. LH available on request from specialist retailers. Check SG bat range on Amazon India
• SS bats: SH and SLH commonly available online. Check SS bat range on Amazon India
• GM bats: SH standard; SLH and LH available through specialist cricket retailers.
• Kookaburra: SH standard; LH available through authorised dealers. Check Kookaburra bat range on Amazon India

Always confirm the handle type before purchasing online. If the listing does not specify, contact the seller — most bats are Short Handle by default, but it is worth confirming.

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Our Recommendation

Under 5'7": Short Handle. This is the standard for a reason. Any bat labelled as an adult bat without further specification will be SH and will be correct for you.

5'7"–6'0": Short Handle. The standard SH bat is designed specifically for this height range and will suit you perfectly.

6'0"–6'3": Short Long Handle. The SLH gives you that extra inch of reach that makes a meaningful difference for tall batters without the balance issues of a full LH bat.

Above 6'3": Long Handle. At this height, a standard SH bat will feel cramped. Seek out LH options from SG, SS, or GM through specialist cricket retailers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does handle length affect bat weight? A: Yes, but marginally. A Long Handle bat will be very slightly heavier than an equivalent Short Handle bat due to the additional handle material. The difference is typically 10–20 grams, which is not usually noticeable in practice. The bigger weight-affecting factors are blade size, edge thickness, and willow grade.

Q: Can I add grip tape to extend a Short Handle bat? A: You can add extra grip tape to the top of the handle to effectively extend the gripping area, which some players do as a low-cost alternative to an SLH bat. However, this is not a perfect solution — it adds bulk and weight to the grip, changes the balance, and does not give you the full benefits of a longer handle. If you genuinely need an SLH, buy one.

Q: Is it true that taller batters hit harder with a Long Handle bat? A: Not necessarily. Power in batting comes from blade speed, timing, and technique — not from handle length. A Long Handle bat does not generate more power. What it does is improve comfort and natural reach for tall players, which can indirectly improve their timing. But a Short Handle bat in the hands of a tall player with good technique will not limit their hitting power.

Q: How do I choose the right bat size for a child? A: Use the size chart based on the child's current height. Go up one size if the child is between measurements and is likely to grow significantly in the next year. Never buy a child an adult Short Handle bat — it will be too heavy and too long, leading to poor technique and potential injury.

Q: What is a "Harrow" size bat? A: Harrow is the intermediate size between junior and adult — the "Size 6.5" of cricket bats. It is designed for players approximately 5'4"–5'7" (typically 12–15 years old) who have outgrown junior sizes but are not yet ready for a full adult Short Handle bat. Many school-age cricketers should be in a Harrow bat rather than either junior or adult size.