bespoke
These bats all differ from our set shapes. This is the range for you if you're looking for something different but don't want to order a custom bat.
selection guide
All the information you need to select the correct options for you.
HOW OUR BATS ARE MADE
Each cricket bat willow tree is grown in the UK for around 20 years before being processed & into raw clefts.
Our high-quality Singapore Manu cane & cork cane handles are made in Jalandhar, India.
MADE IN INDIA:
Raw clefts are machined, handled, pressed shaped and finished. In our Jalandhar workshop
MADE IN NEW ZEALAND:
Raw clefts are machined, handled, pressed shaped and finished. In our Auckland workshop
We trust in our process, which allows you to confidently walk to the crease, knowing that you're using a premium product that will perform under pressure.
BOW & FACE
Our 2-stage pressing technique generates a balanced bowed blade to deliver increased power and control. Our modern flat face allows for enhanced shot placement. The edges are boned (hardened) to strengthen and decrease the chance of cracking.
PROFILE
full
With little to no scallop, wood is left where it is essential to ensure performance. If performance is your priority, then this should be the focus. This is the shape that most professional cricketers seek due to it offering maximum forgiveness when hitting off centre. However, a full profile significantly increases the weight, which means it's not usually possible on lightweight bats.
SEMI-CONCAVED
Semi-concaving is a balance between concaved and full, allowing an even distribution of willow through the edges and spine while maintaining good off-centre power. This is especially suited to lightweight bats as the concaving is required to reduce the bat's weight.
CONCAVED
Concaving allows a maximum spine and edge. However, off-centre strikes aren't as powerful as a full profile. Weight is removed through the back of the blade whilst keeping a high edge and spine. If you're after an imposing edge and spine, then this is a great option.
SWEET SPOT POSITION
The sweet spot or middle of the bat is the blade area where you achieve the most significant amount of power. Therefore, if you have a bat with a high sweet spot, you need to regularly hit the ball high on the blade to get the best out of the bat.
When choosing the spine position, remember the higher you go, the better the pick up will be.
We give you the option of having a different spine peak position to the edge. Having an offset edge and spine is designed to lengthen the middle, improving the pickup and balance. This option is optimal if you like a low sweet spot.
HIGH
A high sweet spot is located 25cm to 28cm from the toe. This bat suits a player who opens or plays the ball late & prefers playing short-pitched bowling off the back foot. The weight distribution is higher up the blade, meaning that the bat speed is improved. This type of bat suits batters who like to cut, hook and pull.
CENTRAL
Most players will have a bat with the central sweet spot located 22cm to 24cm from the toe. A bat with a central sweet spot will suit a batter who plays the full range of shots. This sweet spot does not favour any style in particular.
LOW
A low sweet spot is located 14cm to 17cm from the toe. This type of bat suits a player that enjoys driving the ball and playing aggressively. It is particularly suited to wickets that don't have much bounce. The pick-up won't feel as balanced due to the willow mass sitting closer to the toe.
TOE SHAPE
ROUND
A round toe will help prevent toe damage, particularly if you are a constant crease tapper. Both round and semi-round shapes assist you in sliding your bat into the crease.
SEMI-ROUND
The semi-round toe is our most popular choice as it gives you the best of both styles. Both round and semi-round toes assist you in sliding your bat into the crease.
SQUARE
International players have widely used a square toe as it makes the blade appear wider and is stable while in stance. The drawback is the corners are prone to damage and digging into the pitch when sliding.
HANDLE SHAPE
ROUND
The round handle is best suited to those who like to use their bottom hand and wrists for control and power. The round handle is popular in the subcontinent.
SEMI-OVAL
The semi-oval handle is our most popular choice as it gives you the best of both styles. It allows for a consistent and comfortable feel for most batsmen.
OVAL
The oval handle provides more strength to the handle as the circumference is larger. The oval shape on the bottom hand also gives the bat a better directional feel & means that the bottom hand isn't dominant, enabling the top hand to control the shot.
In October 2017, the new MCC laws on cricket bat sizes came into force for the professional game. The new code means that the maximum dimensions of a cricket bat will be 108mm in blade width, 67mm in spine height with 40mm edges. A bat gauge has been developed for umpires to check players bats, and we use one in the workshop to guarantee your bat will fit through.
The laws are only applicable to the professional game, but there is a moratorium period for the amateur game. This period means that amateur players can still use and purchase oversized bats that may violate the Law, which is why we give you the option.
Bat weight
The general rule is light bats for the controlled players and slightly heavier bats for the aggressive and attacking stroke-makers.
Heavier bats have a slower bat speed than lighter bats. The effort required to move the bat increases as the weight of the bat increases. A lighter bat will allow faster bat speed and increase the chance of middling the ball. A heavier bat will not be comparatively easy to middle the ball with, but it will stay hit when you connect with it.
Light (2lbs 6oz - 2lbs 8oz): We recommend this weight range if you are moving to your first full-size bat or into the finishing stages of your playing career, as it may help if you carry a lingering injury
Standard (2lbs 9oz - 2lbs 10oz): Most professional cricketers use a bat of this weight. It is an excellent balance between bat speed and bat performance.
Heavy (2lbs 11oz +): From 2lbs 11oz, you get a bat less about bat speed and more about blade performance. This weight range is for players who want to score their runs through boundaries and want a large and imposing bat.
STICKER OPTIONS
BLACK RETRO
GREEN SCRIPT
NAVY RETRO
WHITE MINIMAL
English willow grading
LIMITED - EW
The best looking and performing willow money can buy. A Limited cleft will have 10+ grains, no blemishes on the playing surface, and a tight, clean, straight grain structure. These are outstanding pieces of willow turned into the most exceptional bats imaginable.
PERFORMANCE -EW
Graded on having equal performance to our Limited willow without the higher price tag. The only difference is the grain aesthetics. You can expect upwards of 8 grains, with the possibility of minor blemishes and heartwood.
VINTAGE g1-ew
Aesthetically sound and high performing. You can expect a beautiful bat with at least six straight grains visible that will perform to a high level. The odd blemish or heartwood are common, but generally, they will have a clean grain structure.
LEGACY g2-ew
We move into a slightly broader grain structure which is still relatively clean, producing great bats. There will be at least five straight grains on the face of the bat, and you'll commonly see heartwood, blemishes, pin knots or "speck" visible.
CLASSIC g3-ew
We move into a grain structure that isn't always straight, but the performance is still of a good standard. There will be a minimum of 4 grains on the face of the bat. Again heartwood, small knots, and a little 'butterfly' stain may be present with perhaps more prominent "speck".
PRIME G4-EW
Less visual attraction than our higher grades, but it's a great value for money option. There will be a minimum of 4 grains on the face of the bat, which won't always be straight. Again heartwood, small knots, and a little 'butterfly' stain may be present with perhaps more prominent "speck".
POTENT G5-EW
With more prominent blemishes than our higher grade requirements, this grade still produces great-performing bats. There will be a minimum of 4 grains on the face of the bat, which won't always be straight. Again heartwood, knots, and 'butterfly' stain may be present with perhaps more prominent "speck".
SELECT G6-EW
Still structurally sound, these bats produce excellent entry-level cricket bats. There will be a minimum of 4 grains on the face of the bat, which won't always be straight. Again heartwood, knots, and 'butterfly' stain may be present with perhaps more prominent "speck".
BUTTERFLY - EW
Butterfly stained willow doesn't have the aesthetics of the grades above. Fortunately, good looks can only go so far, and butterfly willow can often perform exceptionally well. The ball can ping off a bat with a butterfly stain. This grade makes a standout value for money cricket bat.
SHOP THE RANGE
It's now time to select your bat from our current stock. This will be the exact bat you will receive.