The wooden implement a batter uses to hit the ball in cricket is called a cricket bat. It is one of the sport’s defining pieces of equipment, used to score runs and defend the wicket.
A cricket bat traditionally has a flat striking blade joined to a cylindrical handle. The blade is generally made from willow, especially English willow or Kashmir willow, while the handle commonly uses cane with rubber and twine for flexibility and shock absorption.
The Laws of Cricket limit the bat’s dimensions. Under modern regulations, the blade may not exceed 108 millimetres in width or 67 millimetres in depth, and the complete bat may not be longer than 965 millimetres. These limits help preserve a balance between bat and ball.
A bat is different from a pad, which protects the legs; a bail, which rests on top of the stumps; and a stump, which forms part of the wicket. The batter uses the bat, while the other items serve protective or wicket-related purposes.