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 JUNIOR STROKEMAKER
The Core's shape allows for a power-packed mid to low hitting zone. 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 get value for your shots, 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 1mm and 3mm.
EDGE & SPINE
This Core has large edges and a high spine peaking in the mid to low zone of the playing surface. You can expect an edge height ranging from 32m to 38mm and a spine height between 55mm & 64mm.
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
G1
A Grade 1 is 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 is not uncommon, but in general, they will have a clean grain structure.
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.Use these weights as a guide when choosing the weight of your bat:
Light (1lb 9oz - 1lb 10oz): We recommend this weight range if you are of a slimmer build and within the recommended height. Sometimes a standard weight can feel too heavy, and it's essential to have a bat that you can control and feel confident using.
Regular (1lb 11oz - 1lb 12oz): This is a standard weight range for a harrow cricket bat. It is an excellent balance between bat speed and bat performance. This also allows for a standard weight increase of 2oz -3oz when moving to a size 4 bat.
Heavy (1lb 13oz +): From 1lb 13oz up you get a bat less about bat speed and more about overall performance. This weight range is for players who want to score their runs through boundaries and want a bat that is large and imposing.
