We are some of the first players to use the new Kookaburra Cricket Bats for 2024! In this video, Rich and Neil reviewed all the bats, used the Stealth, Ridgeback and Retro Kahuna before comparing them to their last year's favourite, the Aura!
Cricket Bats
Kookaburra Cricket Bats 2024 Cricket Bat Range Review
Kookaburra have once again supplied the goods this season, producing an extensive bat range for 2024, and, at Serious Cricket, we were given early access to review them for you.
They have kept the Kahuna, Ghost, Aura, Rapid, Beast, and Bubble from 2023 and added the Stealth as well as a blockbuster return for the retro Kahuna and Ridgeback.
In this blog, we will evaluate the Stealth, retro Kahuna, and Ridgeback – filling you in on the technical specifications as well as giving you an insight into how they played in the nets from our Head Coach, Richard Hindley, and Managing Director, Neil Rider.
2023 Kookaburra Range Review
For an extensive review of last year’s bats which are still in the range, please read our blog and watch our YouTube videos.
Kookaburra Stealth Cricket Bat
The Kookaburra Stealth is said to be designed for the T20 batter and that is immediately obvious when you see the bat. It also has full black stickers which gives it a sharp look.
It has a shorter blade length meaning all the wood is condensed into the hitting zone which maximises performance. When you hit it with this bat, it stays hit.
The bat will be used by Ben Foakes this season as he enters his first full season as a Kookaburra-sponsored cricketer.
Technical Specs
- Sweet Spot; approx. 170mm to 190mm from the toe
- Edge Thickness; approx. 34mm to 40mm
- Edge Profile; round
- Face Profile; rounded.
- Toe Profile; standard
- Spine Height; approx. 60mm to 66mm
- Scallop; approx. 1mm to 2mm
- Bow; approx. 11mm to 12mm
- Handle; oval
- Weight; 2lb 9oz to 2lb 12oz
Performance Review
Both Richard and Neil were under strict instruction to play no defensive shots by Kookaburra.
Neil took this advice on board immediately and peppered the straight boundaries, both batters found front foot shots easier than back foot.
Despite the size and thicknesses of the bat, both batters commented on how nice the flow was, and ball striking was made very easy.
What players will it suit?
Attacking players! You will get the best use out of this bat when you are being positive at the crease.
However, it is a big bit of wood so it may suit slightly bigger and stronger players and there are better bats in the range for more traditional strokemakers.
Kookaburra Ridgeback Cricket Bat
One of the Kookaburra retro range and is a throwback to Dean Jones, who was the first to use it on the international stage. It comes with an Octopus grip as standard.
The classic stickers remain and so does the shape from when it was first launched but with a modern feel. This means that the edges have been made thicker which will make it suitable to be used in the upcoming season.
Both Rich and Neil used this bat when they were younger, so both were extremely excited to be reunited with an old friend.
Technical Specs
- Middle; approx. 215mm to 235mm from the toe
- Edge Thickness; approx. 33mm to 35mm
- Edge Profile; rounded.
- Face Profile; curved.
- Toe Profile; standard
- Spine Height; approx. 63mm to 67mm
- Scallop; approx. 1mm to 2mm
- Bow; approx. 10mm to 12mm
- Handle; oval
- Weight; Short Handle @ 2lb 8oz to 2lb 10oz
Performance Review
Neil found the Kookaburra Ridgeback to be well-balanced and was impressed by the oval handle at the bottom of the grip which put more emphasis on his top hand.
Hinders also enjoyed the handle but not the grip (which was based on his preference so don’t let it be a deciding factor for you). He found the bat to flow nicely, and the face was forgiving.
What players will it suit?
Well, those who are keen to reminisce will not be disappointed and if you owned a Kookaburra Ridgeback before then you can buy the modern interpretation.
It should not be pigeonholed to those who owned it before, and it will suit plenty of players. It is so well-balanced that all players should feel comfortable using this bat.
Kookaburra Kahuna Retro Cricket Bat
Another classic bat that was used by an Australian great makes a return to the range, this time it's Ricky Ponting’s 2005 Kookaburra Kahuna.
It complements the modern Kookaburra Kahuna nicely and follows a similar shape but has a player’s grip which differs from the current version.
The bat was originally banned for having graphite on the back of the bat so it has returned without it, although it does have stickers that replicate the original back of the bat.
Technical Specs
- Middle; approx. 215mm to 235mm from the toe
- Edge Thickness; approx. 35mm to 38mm
- Edge Profile; rounded.
- Face Profile; curved.
- Toe Profile; standard
- Spine Height; approx. 64mm to 68mm
- Scallop; approx. 1mm to 2mm
- Bow; approx. 11mm to 12mm
- Handle; oval
- Weight; Short Handle @ 2lb 8oz to 2lb 10oz
Performance review
Hinders was impressed with the retro Kookaburra Kahuna retro bat, commenting on the thinness of the handle or how well-balanced it was.
This was a sentiment shared by Neil who enjoyed the classic shape and feel of this Kahuna.
Ponting will tell you though, when you use this bat, do not take on the arm of a sub fielder…especially if they are called Gary Pratt.
What players will it suit?
It is a bat that will suit a wide range of batters across the country so it would be recommended by both Neil and Hinders.
The only word of warning is that you must score runs with a bat like this, it is too flash and too reminiscent of Ponting for low scores.
If you can back yourself though, you’ll be rewarded with a great bat.
Bats still in the Range from 2023
There are a number of bats that have stayed in the range for 2024 and we have provided a short summary of each below.
In this Video, Rich and Neil put each of the 2023 bats through its paces and give you their honest opinion on each!
Kookaburra Kahuna Cricket Bat
The Classic Green colourway of the Kookaburra Kahuna remains complimented by a Vertex Grip and will be used by Jos Buttler again this season.
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.
The bat is well-balanced and gives you a great amount of time on both the front and back foot.
Kookaburra Ghost Cricket Bat
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.
Marnus Labuschagne has used the bat for a while now and scored plenty of runs with it for Australia.
The Kookaburra Ghost has the lowest middle in the cricket bat family meaning it’ll suit players looking to get on the front foot!
Kookaburra Aura Cricket Bat
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.
The Kookaburra Aura bat still picks up light considering it’s still in the 2’8 – 2’10 weight range and has good balance.
Kookaburra Rapid Cricket 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.
It is also fitted with a Chevron grip, this also aids the weight reduction as chevron grips are slightly thinner than others.
Kookaburra Bubble Cricket Bat
This iconic 90s Kookaburra Bubble 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.
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.
Summary
As we always say, try not to choose the bat on just the stickers and when choosing a cricket bat we always suggest if you can go in-store to pick up the bat the better.
Nothing beats the option of picking one up in-store to compare with other bats, such as shapes, weights, pick up and performance.
If you do choose to go online, then we hope our advice and reviews have helped you with your decision.
The benefit of choosing a Kookaburra is there is an option for everyone, whether you want old school, powerful or touch, there is a bat for you. Especially with the addition of the Stealth which is a unique option for batters looking to clear the ropes.
Finally, a huge thank you again to Matt from Kookaburra for giving us access to their 2024 range to test and review.
