HOW OUR ENGLISH WILLOW PRE-MADE BATS ARE MADE
Each cricket bat willow tree is grown in the UK for around 20 years before being processed & into raw clefts. They are then given an initial grade and dried.
The raw clefts then get sent to Meerut, India. Our high-quality Singapore Manu cane & cork cane handles are made in Jalandhar and are sent to Meerut, where they are spliced into our raw clefts. The clefts are then machined and go through our 3-stage pressing process, which maximises the potential performance of each piece of willow. They then get shaped by hand and finished.
The bats are then shipped to New Zealand, where they go through all of our quality checks given a final grade put into stock. We trust in our process, which allows you to walk to the crease with confidence, knowing that you're using a premium product that you can rely on to perform under pressure.
A MODERN APPROACH FOR THE CLASSIC STROKE MAKER.
The Core is designed to maximise power off the front foot. Its slight duckbill toe means that it picks up better than most bats with a mid to low sweet spot. If you seek the confidence to get forward and hit the back net, then the Core is for you.
CONSTRUCTION
This bat conforms to MCC Law 5 bat regulations, which means that the bat needs will fit through an approved bat gauge with maximum dimensions of 108mm in blade width, 67mm in spine height with 40mm edges.
PLAYER TYPE
Batsmen who score the majority of their runs off the front foot but still want a well-balanced bat that allows for good hand speed when playing cross-batted shots
SWEET SPOT
The Core has a mid to low sweet spot which peaks between 180mm & 210mm from the toe of the bat then runs into a duckbill shape. Preferred by many due to the balance and amount of wood left in the hitting zone
PICK UP
The Core's duckbill allows for a well-balanced pickup. It doesn't pick up as well as our Swell shape due to the slightly lower sweet spot. To balance this out, we suggest going half an oz lighter then if you were purchasing the Swell.
PROFILE
The profile is semi-concaved, allowing for an even spread of willow through the edges, spine and profile. You can expect a scallop between 3mm and 4mm.
EDGE &SPINE
This Core's edges & spine peak in the mid to low zone of the playing surface. You can expect an edge height ranging from 32m to 35mm and a spine height between 55mm & 62mm.
FACE & BOW
Our standard bowed blade generates a perfectly balanced pick up 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.
TOE
The 20mm to 23mm semi-round angled toe helps prevent chipping of the corners of the bat. It also allows you to slide easily into your crease. The angle provides a more stable position while in your stance.
HANDLE
The ergonomic semi-oval handle provides strength to your grip of the handle & reduces rotation (compared to a round handle) when hitting off-centre of the blade. Our high-quality cork and Manu cane handle assist in diffusing the shock waves and movement in the hands.
ENGLISH WILLOW
INDOOR
Acquired specifically for indoor cricket, our Indoor willow is cosmetically inferior to the rest of our grades but still structurally sound. This grade of willow produces some fantastic bats as indoor cricket is all about hand speed and control rather than outright bat performance.
If you are looking for a specific grain structure, please get in touch, and we'll let you know what is available.
SELECTING THE CORRECT WEIGHT
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 quite as easy to middle the ball with, but when you connect with the ball, it will stay hit.
In general, the rule is light bats for the controlled players and slightly heavier bats for the aggressive and attacking stroke-makers. Indoor bats are considerably lighter then outdoor bats as the game is more about bat speed and control over outright bat performance and power.Use these weights as a guide when choosing the weight of your indoor bat:
Light (1lb 15oz - 2lbs 1oz): We recommend this weight range if you are moving from junior sizing to your first full-size bat or if your moving into the finishing stages of your playing career and are looking for a lighter bat which may help if you carry a lingering injury.
Regular (2lbs 2oz - 2lbs 5oz): This is a standard weight range for a full-size indoor cricket bat. It is an excellent balance between bat speed and bat performance.
Heavy (2lbs 6oz +): From 2lbs 6oz up you get a bat less about bat speed and more about overall power. This weight range is for players who want a similar feeling to a lightweight outdoor bat.
