Choosing between a Harrow and a full-size cricket bat comes down to one thing - the player's height and strength, not their age. A Harrow bat is the in-between size for growing teenagers, usually around 5'2" to 5'6" tall. A full size (short handle) bat is the standard adult bat, for players about 5'7" and taller. Pick the wrong one and a young player ends up with a bat that is too heavy to control, which quietly ruins their technique. Here is a simple guide to both and how to choose.
Harrow and full size are the top two sizes on the cricket bat size ladder. A Harrow is slightly shorter, narrower, and lighter than a full-size bat - think of it as a steppingstone between the junior size 6 bat and a full adult one.
Harrow Cricket Bat: The Pros
1. It fits the in-between age. A Harrow is made for growing teens, usually around 12 to 15 and about 5'2" to 5'6" tall, who have outgrown a junior size 6 bat but are not ready for a full adult one.
2. Lighter and easier to control. A Harrow weighs less than a full size bat, so a young player can swing it properly and keep their hands and shape in the right place.
3. Better for technique. With the right weight and reach, a player can learn proper shots instead of just heaving a bat that is too big. Good habits start with a bat that fits.
4. A true stepping stone. It bridges the gap between junior and adult sizes, so the jump up is not too big and the player keeps improving.
5. Often easier on the wallet. Harrow bats are usually mid-priced, which suits a player who will move up to a full size in a year or two anyway.
When a Full Size Bat Is the Right Choice
1. You are 5'7" or taller. Once a player reaches adult height, a full size (short handle) bat gives the right length and reach to bat comfortably.
2. You are strong enough for the weight. Full size bats are heavier. You need the strength to swing one without dropping your hands or losing control - if you can, it gives more power.
3. The biggest choice of bats. Almost every model and brand is made in full size, so you get the full range of options. Harrow has far fewer choices.
4. No need to upgrade again soon. An adult or a fully grown teen who buys full size will not outgrow it, so it lasts for years.
5. The catch - do not move up too early. Buying a full size bat "to grow into" usually backfires. If it is too long and heavy, the player drops their hands and heaves at the ball, and those habits are hard to undo. Wait until the height and strength are really there.
Should You Buy a Full-Size Bat to "Grow Into"?
It is tempting to save money by buying big, but it almost always works against a young player. A bat that is too long and heavy forces them to crouch, drop their hands, and swing hard just to lift it - the opposite of good technique. It is far better to use the right size now (a Harrow) and move up when the player's height and strength catch up. The golden rule is simple: size the bat to the player's height, not their age.
I have seen this play out many times. In my own years in age-group cricket in Pakistan - through Under-16 and Under-19 level - the young players who improved fastest were almost always the ones using a bat that actually fit them, not the biggest one in the bag. Give a growing teen a full size bat too soon and you can watch their hands drop and their head fall over just to lift it. A Harrow they can swing freely will do far more for their batting.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose a Harrow if you:
Are about 5'2" to 5'6" tall (often a teenager around 12 to 15).
Have outgrown a junior size 6 bat but are not yet adult height.
Want a lighter bat that is easy to control and good for technique.
Choose a Full Size (Short Handle) if you:
Are about 5'7" or taller and strong enough to control the extra weight.
Want the widest choice of brands and models.
Are an adult or fully grown teen who will not outgrow it.
Look at junior sizes (6, 5, 4 and down) if you:
Are shorter than about 5'2", or buying for a younger child - pick by height.
Conclusion
Harrow vs full size comes down to height and strength. If a player is roughly 5'2" to 5'6" and still growing, a Harrow gives them a bat they can actually control and learn with. Once they reach around 5'7" and are strong enough, it is time to move up to full size. Resist the urge to buy big "to grow into" - the right size today builds far better technique than a bat the player might fit in two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What height is a Harrow cricket bat for?
A: Roughly 5'2" to 5'6" tall, usually players around 12 to 15 years old. Always choose by height rather than age, as kids of the same age can be very different sizes.
Q2: What is the difference between a Harrow and a full size cricket bat?
A: A Harrow is slightly shorter, narrower, and lighter than a full size (short handle) bat. It is the step between junior bats and a full adult bat, made for teenagers who are still growing.
Q3: When should a player move from Harrow to full size?
A: When they reach about 5'7" and are strong enough to control the heavier bat without dropping their hands. This is usually in the mid-teens, but it depends on the individual player, not their age.
Q4: Can a tall 13-year-old use a full size bat?
A: Possibly, if they are around 5'7" or taller and strong enough to swing it with good technique. Check the weight and pickup carefully - a bat that feels heavy in the shop will feel heavier after an hour at the crease.
Q5: Is it bad to buy a bigger bat to grow into?
A: Usually, yes. A bat that is too long and heavy hurts a young player's technique and timing. It is better to use the right size now and upgrade once the player has grown into the next size.
