We are some of the first players to use the new Kookaburra Cricket Bats for 2023! In this Video, Rich and Neil put each of the bats through its paces and give you their honest opinion on each!
Kookaburra’s rich history dates back to 1890 when it was founded by Alfred Grace Thompson solely producing and selling cricket balls. Initially trading under the name AG Thompson Pty Ltd, the company adopted the name “Kookaburra" inspired by Alfred’s pet Kookaburra, who lived in a tree outside the workshop. Kookaburra’s dedication to quality and endurance are values that have made the brand a well-respected name in the world of cricket.
Initially developed over 20 years ago with the help of dynamic stroke maker Ricky Ponting, the Kahuna cricket bat has stood the test of time and continues to meet the demands of the modern player in terms of profile, pick-up and ultimate performance. The Classic Green colourway remains complimented by a Vertex Grip. I’m not sure we’ll see Pointing at the crease this summer, but you will find Jos Butler using the Kookaburra Kahuna.
Tech Specs
The Kookaburra Kahuna cricket bat has a prominent high spine which runs all the way from the blade to the toe, which makes it stand out from the other bats in the Kookaburra cricket family. Lots of wood across the blade looking to give more in those off-centre hits, weighing between 2'8 - 2'10.
Performance Review - In The Nets
The bat is well-balanced and gives you a great amount of time on both the front and back foot. Neil struggled to find the middle of the Kahuna bat early on (not the bat’s fault) but still felt like he was rewarded in those off-centre hits with its forgiving profile, If Ricky Pointing liked it, I suppose we all should.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
The 2023 Kookaburra Kahuna cricket bat is a bit of a banker. A great all-around bat, that will suit most players thanks to its forgiving shape and great balance.
Clean striking looks and a traditional profile make the Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat a firm favourite amongst stylish players at all levels of the game. Sharp white graphics with flexes of grey and blue gives the Ghost a classy style accompanied by a Players Grip. Marnus Labuschagne will walk to the wicket with the Ghost in his hand this summer, fingers cross its runs for Glamorgan and not Australia…
Tech Specs
The Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat range comes in at 2’8 - 2’10 and has a high spine which tapers out at the toe giving it a duck-billed shape. The Kookaburra Ghost has the lowest middle in the cricket bat family meaning it’ll suit players looking to get on the front foot!
Performance Review - In The Nets
The initial pick-up is on the lighter side with good balance across the willow. The Kookaburra Ghost bat comes into its own on the front foot thanks to its lower middle, allowing you to get good power and clean strikes. Due to the lightweight pickup, you still have time on the back foot to play those cuts and pulls with lots of wood still behind the ball.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
The Kookaburra Ghost again is a great cricket bat that would suit most players, perfect for stroke players looking to play all around the pitch. The low positioning of the middle also means it would be perfect for front foot players.
The 2023 Kookaburra Aura cricket bat range offers a lightweight profile that packs a punch and is designed for the player who prefers a traditional feel to the blade. The Aura Has Striking graphics with bold colours and is paired with the Aura grip.
Tech Specs
The Kookaburra Aura cricket bat has a high spine with a mid-swell sweet spot. The wood has been shaped out of the toe, this gives it a good balance and a lightweight pickup but still falls in the 2’8 - 2’10 category.
Performance Review - In The Nets
The Kookaburra Aura bat still picks up light considering it’s still in the 2’8 – 2’10 weight range and has good balance. Where Kookaburra has taken the wood out of the toe and put it back into the hitting zone you get maximum value when striking the ball cleanly. But the Aura cricket bat comes into its own on the back foot due to its lightweight pick up giving you time to execute those horizontal shots.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
The Aura is a great option for female cricketers, Nat Sciver has it in the bag after all! This will also suit youth cricketers looking to get into their first short-handle bat.
Expertly crafted for the new generation of stroke players, the Kookaburra Rapid cricket bat offers a lightweight profile ideal for the adult player who prefers a feather light pick-up as well as developing junior and female players. Not only is this the lightest in the family it is also the brightest with a bright colourway. Hayley Matthews will be walking out with the Rapid this summer in the Hundred.
Tech Specs
Coming in at 2’6 - 2’8 the Kookaburra Rapid bat is the lightest in the family. To achieve this, wood is carved out of the back of the bat, giving a concaved back profile and high spine it. It is also fitted with a Chevron grip, this also aids the weight reduction as chevron grips are slightly thinner than others.
Performance Review - In The Nets
Initial thoughts with the Rapid cricket bat are that it’s clearly a lightweight bat and picks up as you would expect but still has great balance, but the loss of forgiveness across the hitting zone is noticeable. The trade to having a light bat is that on the back foot, the Rapid starts to come into its own as you have so much time on the ball to play your shots.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
Like the Aura, the Kookaburra Rapid cricket bat would suit those youth cricketers transitioning into their first adult bat and those that just enjoy playing with a lighter feeling pick up.
Newly developed for 2023, the Kookaburra Vapor cricket bat has a classical style with superb lightweight pickup. Ideal for aggressive 360-degree stroke play. Clean and classy colours in the vapors graphics with a colour matched wave grip. Sophie Ecclestone will be using the Vapour for 2023.
Tech Specs
Very similar to the Aura the Kookaburra Vapor bat has a high spine with a mid-swell sweet spot which tapers out towards the toe giving it a duckbill shape. This gives it a good balance and a lightweight pickup but still falls in the 2’8 - 2’10 category.
Performance Review - In The Nets
The initial thoughts are that the Vapor cricket bat is very similar to the Aura, very similar in shape and pickup. Kookaburra again has designed the bat to have a duck bill toe and put the saved wood back into the hitting zone. The Kookaburra Vapor cricket bat comes into its own on the back foot due to its lightweight pick up giving you so much time on the ball.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
Again, very similar to the Aura so would suit those youth cricketers transitioning into their first adult bat. It would also be great for stroke players looking for a lightweight pickup that allows them to time their shots.
Designed for the player who likes to take centre stage on the field. The Kookaburra Beast cricket bat offers an imposing presence at the crease and match-winning performances.
Tech Specs
The Kookaburra Beast is well… a beast! Big, bold profile with huge edges! 2’8 - 2’10, sporting a see-through silicone grip, it’s got a counterbalance at the top of the handle adding a little bit of additional weight above the hand to aid a balanced pickup.
Performance Review - In The Nets
The first noticeable difference is the handle, thicker in size than the rest of the family with a counterbalance notch at the top. This results in the Beast cricket bat still picking up well considering its huge profile. Most surprising was the ability you still had to get onto the back foot and pick up those shorter balls.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
The Kookaburra Beast cricket bat will really suit those looking to play aggressively and wanting clear the ropes! The amount of wood behind the ball allows you to set your base and swing through. It will also suit those who usually put a second grip on their handles, the combination of the thicker handle and silicone grip means that you wouldn’t need to add an additional one.
Play timeless cricket with the Kookaburra Bubble cricket bat. This iconic 90s cricket bat has resurfaced for 2023. The clue is in the name, the Bubble focuses on the sweet spot, with its mid blade swell making it perfect for power and clearing the ropes. A refreshed look in the graphics but very much plays homage to its past versions.
Tech Specs
Gone are those original very skinny bats, obviously, there's more wood now. The Kookaburra Bubble has that big swell around the graphics, it’s pronounced in the shape around the hitting zone putting more wood into the middle and then dipping right back down. The Bubble cricket bat falls in the 2'8 to 2'10 category.
Performance Review - In The Nets
Considering the contoured shape around the middle of the bat, which leaves more wood lower end, the bat is still well balanced. You are still able to get through it, but you must be there a bit earlier on it. However, the power in the pronounced swell gives you great value for your shots.
What Type of Players Would it Suit?
The Kookaburra Bubble cricket bat is really going to suit those players who want to play the big shots. Its pronounced power zone allows them to just do that.
In the Kookaburra Beast, Kahuna and Ghost cricket bat ranges there are a couple of different variants. The lite version of the bats drops down to 2’6 to 2’8. To achieve this Kookaburra has adopted a shorter blade and longer handle. The bat profile remains the same but with the reduced blade length the Lite’s take their name.
The big versions are for your big hitters and those looking for a heavier bat with more wood in the blade. These versions remain the same in profile and shape but weigh 2’10 upwards.
A few final thoughts, when choosing a cricket bat we always suggest if you can go in-store to pick up the bat the better. Ordering online works well but it doesn’t beat the option of picking one up in-store to compare with other bats, such as shapes, weights, pick up and performance.
The Kookaburra cricket bat range has something for all players, from your big hitters to stroke players to transitioning youth cricketers - this is further enhanced with its Lite and Big versions of the Kahuna, Ghost and Beast! We were also impressed with the attention to detail in the range this year, each bat was fitted with its own unique grip! Truly there is a bat for everyone at Kookaburra!
Finally, a huge thank you to Matt at Kookaburra for giving us access to their 2023 range to test and review.
