Yes, the first cricket bats were used 3 centuries ago. The earliest cricket bats were in the shape of hockey sticks. It was first played using Shepherd's crookes.

By now the cricket bats had taken the shape of somewhat of a knife.

Now the bats were flat-backed but the blade was small and the bottom was rounded.

Now slightly taller bats were made but the blade was still thin and the bottom was asymmetrically rounded.

The bats now had a flat bottom and the bat was made out of a single piece of willow wood.

Now slightly smaller bats were made with flat edges and Whalebone “springs” were used in the handles.

By now the bats resembled present day cricket bats. Now they were made to deal with fast bowling.

Today the bats are made with a wide surface area for a larger area to hit the ball.