Can crickets ever be made from the same substance as crickets? You should never make a cricket ball out of old planks of wood. Almost all bats seen in England are made from willows, which are known for their brightness. They are manufactured specifically of white willow, often known as cricket bat willow. The trees are endemic to West and Central Asia, and they have historically been used as a weapon. Because the wood is lighter, hitters can strike the ball more accurately.