Everything but the Helmet: Shrey Storm Junior Cricket Set with Kashmir Willow Bat
Overview
The Shrey Storm cricket set is a complete junior starter kit for young players new to hard ball cricket. It packs a grade 1 Kashmir willow bat, pads, gloves, thigh guard and abdo guard into one duffle bag. Every item comes sized to match the bat, from size 3 up to Harrow.
Buying a first kit piece by piece takes time and money. This set solves that in one box. You get the bat, the protection and a bag to carry it all. Only a helmet is left to add. The blue and grey colourway gives the kit a smart, matching look.
The bat has a firm, solid feel off the middle, which is typical of Kashmir willow. The cushioned, pre-curved glove fingers sit closed around the handle, so a young player holds the bat with less effort. If you are planning ahead for the April to September season, now is a good time to sort the kit. The set also makes a practical Christmas gift for a junior cricketer.
Features
- One purchase, full kit: bat, pads, gloves, thigh guard, abdo guard and bag arrive together, so nothing basic is missing on day one.
- Matched sizing: each piece of protection is chosen to suit the bat size, which takes the guesswork out of fitting a child.
- Built for growing players: five sizes cover juniors from about 4ft 6in up to 5ft 7in tall.
- Value for a first season: Kashmir willow keeps the cost down while your child learns the game and finds out how much they love it.
- Pads that fit either leg: the ambidextrous pads and thigh guard work for left and right handed batters alike.
- Easy to carry: the bag goes on the back like a rucksack. That helps a young player walk to nets or the club.
- Ready for hard ball: the set is aimed at junior club cricket with a leather ball, once the bat is knocked in.
Design and Materials
The bat is made from grade 1 Kashmir willow and comes with a natural finish. Kashmir willow is harder and denser than English willow. That makes it tough and good value, but it gives less spring off the face. Shrey adds embossed stickers and fibre tape on the edges. The bat is not knocked in, so it needs oiling and knocking in before it faces a hard ball.
The protection follows a traditional style. The pads have a cane front with a PU facing and inner bolsters for comfort. The gloves use leather palms with perforations to let air through. The thigh guard uses high density foam inside a cloth cover. The abdo guard is an anatomically shaped slip-in design with silicone edges. Everything in the Shrey Storm cricket set packs into a compartment duffle bag in blue and grey.
Key Technologies
Grade 1 Kashmir Willow: Shrey uses its top grade of Kashmir willow for the Storm bat. It is a hard wearing timber that suits a first bat.
Three-Layer Grip: The handle carries a three-layer rubber grip. It adds cushioning and helps small hands hold on.
Fibre-Taped Edges: Fibre tape runs along the bat edges. It helps protect the willow from edged shots while the bat beds in.
Pre-Curved Cushioned Fingers: The glove fingers are shaped to curl around the handle. Cushioning in the fingers absorbs impact from the ball.
Perforated Leather Palms: Small holes in the leather palm let air through. That helps the gloves breathe and dry faster.
Cane-Fronted Pads with PU Facing: Cane runs down the front of each pad under a PU face. Comfort bolsters line the inside against the leg.
High Density Foam Thigh Guard: The thigh guard uses HD foam under a cloth cover. Elasticated Velcro straps hold it in place as you run.
Silicone-Edged Abdo Guard: The slip-in abdo guard has an anatomical shape. Silicone padding around the rim makes it kinder to wear.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Brand | Shrey |
| Model | Storm Cricket Set |
| Contents | Bat, pads, gloves, thigh guard, abdo guard, duffle bag |
| Not included | Helmet |
| Bat willow | Grade 1 Kashmir willow |
| Bat finish | Natural, not knocked in |
| Sizes | 3, 4, 5 |
| Player height guide | Size 3: 4ft 6in to 4ft 9in. Size 4: 4ft 9in to 5ft. Size 5: 5ft to 5ft 3in. |
| Gloves | Right handed only, leather palm |
| Pads and thigh guard | Ambidextrous |
| Colour | Blue and grey |
| Skill level | Beginner |
VKS Review
The Shrey Storm cricket set is a sensible first kit for a junior joining a club or starting school cricket. Kashmir willow will not match the ping of an English willow bat. In return, it stands up well to the knocks of a first season. Paired with a full set of matching protection, it gets a child playing hard ball cricket with one purchase.
There are trade-offs to know about. The gloves come in right handed only, so a left handed batter will need separate gloves. A child already playing regular matches may be better served by an English willow junior bat and separate pads. You also need to buy a helmet, which is essential for hard ball cricket. You can visit our London store in Ealing to check sizes before you buy. VKS has helped cricket families for over 50 years, and our team can also knock in the bat for you.
Q&A Section
What is included in the Shrey Storm cricket set?
The set includes a Kashmir willow bat, pads, gloves, a thigh guard, an abdo guard and a duffle bag. Each item comes sized to match the bat. A helmet is not included, so you will need to add one for hard ball cricket.
Which size should I choose for my child?
Choose the size by your child's height rather than their age. Size 3 suits about 4ft 6in to 4ft 9in, and Harrow suits about 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in. If your child sits between sizes, our Ealing store team can help you check the fit.
Does the bat need knocking in?
Yes, the bat arrives with a natural finish and is not knocked in. Oiling and knocking in harden the face so it can handle a leather ball. VKS offers a knocking-in service online and in store if you would rather not do it yourself.
Is the Shrey Storm set suitable for left handed batters?
Partly. The pads and thigh guard are ambidextrous, so they fit either way. The gloves come in right handed only, so a left handed batter should add a pair of left handed gloves.
What is the best cricket set for beginners?
For most beginners, a full kit with a Kashmir willow bat like the Storm is a good place to start. It covers all the basic protection at a lower cost than buying items one by one. Once a player is committed and growing, an English willow bat is the natural next step.
Can the Kashmir willow bat be used with a hard ball?
Yes, once it has been oiled and properly knocked in. Kashmir willow is hard and durable, which suits junior hard ball play. It will not feel as lively as English willow, but it is a solid bat to learn with.
Should I buy a cricket set or separate kit?
A set is usually the better choice for a first season. You get matched sizes and a bag in one go, at a lower price than separate items. Separate kit makes more sense for an older junior who wants a specific bat or pad style.
How do I look after the Kashmir willow bat?
Keep the Shrey Storm cricket set bat dry and store it away from heat, such as a hot car boot. Check the edges and toe for cracks after each session. A small crack caught early is much easier to repair.
