Discussion
Looking to get back into cricket after a very long absence. Will be starting indoor nets through the winter to get me ready for next season, playing at a very low level I might add!
My old bat is no longer up to the job, so I have been looking at what is available nowadays.
My goodness, there are more choices of bats than ever.
In my day it was either an SS Jumbo or a Gray-Nicolls 'scoop'!
Can someone give me some pointers as to what to look for in a bat? I'm guessing anything under £100 will be poor quality willow?
Was looking on a few sites at the Slazenger V100 (I like a fairly light bat) - but even that has about 5 different models.
Whats the difference?
Thanks.
My old bat is no longer up to the job, so I have been looking at what is available nowadays.
My goodness, there are more choices of bats than ever.
In my day it was either an SS Jumbo or a Gray-Nicolls 'scoop'!
Can someone give me some pointers as to what to look for in a bat? I'm guessing anything under £100 will be poor quality willow?
Was looking on a few sites at the Slazenger V100 (I like a fairly light bat) - but even that has about 5 different models.
Whats the difference?
Thanks.
My current bat cost $300A half price a few years ago because it was previous seasons stock.
Kookaburra " The Beast " not top shelf but still a wonderful stick but possibly a bit on the heavy side for you, mine is short handle and at the corpulent end of the scale.
This is the current one The Beast
Kookaburra " The Beast " not top shelf but still a wonderful stick but possibly a bit on the heavy side for you, mine is short handle and at the corpulent end of the scale.
This is the current one The Beast
Thanks for the replies guys.
You are widening my search rather than narrowing it though!
Must say Max, liking the sound of the CA with big sweetspot and lightness. Will def look into that a bit more.
Suthol - I have actually handled a Kookaburra Beast, an imposing looking bat, but too heavy for my late shot selection!
Bing O - Any idea the weight of the Uzi? Just the name sounds a bit macho and prbably therefore like the Beast. I'll take a look at the Newbury website to see what others they do....and what prices they are.
Bascially though, there appear to be countless manufacturers with too many different models - but no bargains despite this oversupply!
You are widening my search rather than narrowing it though!
Must say Max, liking the sound of the CA with big sweetspot and lightness. Will def look into that a bit more.
Suthol - I have actually handled a Kookaburra Beast, an imposing looking bat, but too heavy for my late shot selection!
Bing O - Any idea the weight of the Uzi? Just the name sounds a bit macho and prbably therefore like the Beast. I'll take a look at the Newbury website to see what others they do....and what prices they are.
Bascially though, there appear to be countless manufacturers with too many different models - but no bargains despite this oversupply!
Hmmm where to start.
My feeling is that today the wood doesn't *look* as nice as it used to, and prices seem to have gone up by 100% since I bought my last "nice" bat.
I spent £200 on a chase 175 in 2001. Great bat. Hit one 50 and averaged not more than 10 for the three seasons I used it.
Three years ago I bought a bdm galaxy off a chap at the club who had bought 3 for £50 off eBay. It was too heavy so I took a plane to it and it's now down to my preferred weight. At £20 I wasn't scared of breaking it. Scored many more runs with it tan I did with the chase.
Only an anecdote, but there's plenty of money to be wasted on chunks of willow, when the major limiting factor is usually the batsman.
My feeling is that today the wood doesn't *look* as nice as it used to, and prices seem to have gone up by 100% since I bought my last "nice" bat.
I spent £200 on a chase 175 in 2001. Great bat. Hit one 50 and averaged not more than 10 for the three seasons I used it.
Three years ago I bought a bdm galaxy off a chap at the club who had bought 3 for £50 off eBay. It was too heavy so I took a plane to it and it's now down to my preferred weight. At £20 I wasn't scared of breaking it. Scored many more runs with it tan I did with the chase.
Only an anecdote, but there's plenty of money to be wasted on chunks of willow, when the major limiting factor is usually the batsman.
Get Karter said:
Thanks for the replies guys.
You are widening my search rather than narrowing it though!
Must say Max, liking the sound of the CA with big sweetspot and lightness. Will def look into that a bit more.
Suthol - I have actually handled a Kookaburra Beast, an imposing looking bat, but too heavy for my late shot selection!
!
Ah you sound like me! Late shot selection.....You are widening my search rather than narrowing it though!
Must say Max, liking the sound of the CA with big sweetspot and lightness. Will def look into that a bit more.
Suthol - I have actually handled a Kookaburra Beast, an imposing looking bat, but too heavy for my late shot selection!
!
I am at heart an attacking batsman, and find the light weight a great advantage when changing my mind!
Funnily enough my last bat was a Kookaburra Beast, I found like you, but won't be swayed from my CA now.
You've picked the right time of year to find a bargain but the worst time for choice.
If you have a decent cricket specialist nearby, I would advise that you visit and try a few in your hands - even bats of the same weight will 'pick-up' differently and whilst we can all give our favourite brands and models it's you that it must feel good to.
'Light' is generally considered to be about 2lb 9oz and lower so start with those but you may find some heavier ones which pick-up nicely and feel fine.
Just to add my 2p, Salix bats are my personal favourites - they supply their slightly sub-standard output as 'Rogues' to a few shops and these would still be nice bats for about £125-£150.
Good luck with the comeback!
If you have a decent cricket specialist nearby, I would advise that you visit and try a few in your hands - even bats of the same weight will 'pick-up' differently and whilst we can all give our favourite brands and models it's you that it must feel good to.
'Light' is generally considered to be about 2lb 9oz and lower so start with those but you may find some heavier ones which pick-up nicely and feel fine.
Just to add my 2p, Salix bats are my personal favourites - they supply their slightly sub-standard output as 'Rogues' to a few shops and these would still be nice bats for about £125-£150.
Good luck with the comeback!
Best bat I have had for a long time (since local handmade place shut) is the Newberry TT SPS I have been using this season. 2-9 and 'by eck' its got a sweet middle. Cost around £280 but definately worth it.
Previously had Puma bats which have been hit or miss, pardon the pun. Some were good, some were poor.
I'd definately consider Newberry, and even consider a trip to thier place to choose yourself.
Previously had Puma bats which have been hit or miss, pardon the pun. Some were good, some were poor.
I'd definately consider Newberry, and even consider a trip to thier place to choose yourself.
I use well did before retirement a G&M Autograph , absolutely useless , no middle but s
t loads of edges , Bloody awful bat
This is a great shop if your anywhere near south of the thames , Personally i'd wait a month or so , should be able to pick up a bargain
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...
t loads of edges , Bloody awful bat This is a great shop if your anywhere near south of the thames , Personally i'd wait a month or so , should be able to pick up a bargain
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&am...
Edited by Black can man on Wednesday 7th September 18:54
5pen said:
If you have a decent cricket specialist nearby, I would advise that you visit and try a few in your hands - even bats of the same weight will 'pick-up' differently and whilst we can all give our favourite brands and models it's you that it must feel good to.
Unfortunately I don't have a cricket specialist nearby.....but will be down in London in October.Is the Lords shop any good?
Otherwise, I will try to see if I can find the time to get to Fordham sports as recommended above.
OP, I *highly* recommend talking to AdvocatusD and asking him to bring you a bat back from India. Darab has an ex-India international mate do the bat selection and the top bats come in at something like £100. Although the traditional English purists will turn their noses up at Kasmir willow, we arent all Gower-class cover drive specialists so can accept using Kashmir willow bats and these day the quality of Indian willow is up there with English willow anyway.
Either way, Ive been delighted with my bat, its basically the equivalent of a £400 Newbury minus the carbon fibre inner shaft, hand picked by an Indian international and personally imported all for £100. Darab is a completely honourable chap and a delight to deal with, just tell him I recommended him to you.
Either way, Ive been delighted with my bat, its basically the equivalent of a £400 Newbury minus the carbon fibre inner shaft, hand picked by an Indian international and personally imported all for £100. Darab is a completely honourable chap and a delight to deal with, just tell him I recommended him to you.
Get Karter said:
Bing O - Any idea the weight of the Uzi? Just the name sounds a bit macho and prbably therefore like the Beast. I'll take a look at the Newbury website to see what others they do....and what prices they are.
http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-senior-cricket-bats/uzi-senior-cricket-bat.htmlI have the SPS version. Think mine is 2lb 10oz, and I'm not powerfully built yet can still hit a six with it. I even managed to get a 4 with a defensive push once - if you get the middle the ball just pings.
My mate borrowed it for a T20 game and knocked 5 sixes in one over with it. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Of course, if you are flush, then you can push the boat out a little...
http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-highlights/newber...
Bing o said:
http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-senior-cricket-ba...
I have the SPS version. Think mine is 2lb 10oz, and I'm not powerfully built yet can still hit a six with it. I even managed to get a 4 with a defensive push once - if you get the middle the ball just pings.
My mate borrowed it for a T20 game and knocked 5 sixes in one over with it. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Of course, if you are flush, then you can push the boat out a little...
http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-highlights/newber...
Agree with Newbery. I have this: http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-senior-cricket-ba... Great bat, lovely pickup and so very sweet in the middle.I have the SPS version. Think mine is 2lb 10oz, and I'm not powerfully built yet can still hit a six with it. I even managed to get a 4 with a defensive push once - if you get the middle the ball just pings.
My mate borrowed it for a T20 game and knocked 5 sixes in one over with it. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Of course, if you are flush, then you can push the boat out a little...
http://www.newbery.co.uk/newbery-highlights/newber...
Get Karter said:
Unfortunately I don't have a cricket specialist nearby.....but will be down in London in October.
Is the Lords shop any good?
Otherwise, I will try to see if I can find the time to get to Fordham sports as recommended above.
I have been to the Lord's shop though I can't really remember how good it was, but I can't imagine it would be the best value for money outlet around. I've used Fordham sports mail-order and heard good things about them before. Also Beckenham Cricket Specialists and Morrant Sports aren't too far from central London.Is the Lords shop any good?
Otherwise, I will try to see if I can find the time to get to Fordham sports as recommended above.
If you find that you have to buy online, as well as those mentioned above, try Barrington Sports and Romida. Good luck.
Just checked Morrant, and assuming they are in stock at the weight you need, they have some decent quality Newbery bats for around the £120-£135 mark.
http://www.morrant.com/cricket_equipment/cricket_b...
I have a Newbery Mjolnir SPS which I got for somewhat less than the £320 retail price.
Best bat I've had by far.
These days you won't go far wrong as long as you spend £150+. You can get the odd bargain at cheaper than this but you can also pick a wrongun.
The Lords shop is good, but the best are probably Romida Sports in Leatherhead (also do mail order), or Fordham sports near Richmond. If you're more central it would be worth a look around Lillywhties in Picadilly but they are generally pricey.
Best bat I've had by far.
These days you won't go far wrong as long as you spend £150+. You can get the odd bargain at cheaper than this but you can also pick a wrongun.
The Lords shop is good, but the best are probably Romida Sports in Leatherhead (also do mail order), or Fordham sports near Richmond. If you're more central it would be worth a look around Lillywhties in Picadilly but they are generally pricey.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff