Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: thebigginge on September 29, 2011, 01:20:58 PM
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Gray-Nicolls latest England International finalized his preparation for the up and coming Indian tour with a trip to the Robertsbridge headquarters to select his latest bats today.
The team fly out to India on Monday and Meaker commented that is a “dream coming true” to be selected following an invitation to bowl in the Nets before the T20 series against the West Indies. “ I thought I was just along to bowl in the nets and had no idea I was being looked at.”
Meaker spent some time with Alex Hohenkerk to ensure his latest batch of Oblivion’s were to his exact specification. Hohenkerk, one of Gray-Nicolls Master Bat makers, in consultation with Stuart, made sure the bats were slightly heavier than his normal 2lb 8oz. “A lower middle to the blade of the Oblivions and a touch more wood in the profile will help him on the low, slow wickets in India”
Meaker has also packed a GN100 in his kit bag for the Tour. “Can’t wait to get this one out to show the lads and see the reaction!” I can’t believe the edges on it and the pick up and balance is incredible.”
England’s first match is on the 14th October in Hyderbad and it is hoped Meaker will make his debut along fellow Gray-Nicolls athletes, Captain Alastair Cook and all rounder Chris Woakes.
Nick Wilton
GN Contracts Manager
He's a thoroughly nice bloke and he is very excited by the new Scoop!
(http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/thebigginge/S1051705.jpg)
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Hmmm, why's there the kookaburra logo on the wall?
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throw darts at it?
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Liam-SCC
It was taken off a bat during a refurb/repair
Whispering death
I wouldn't waste my darts on it! lol
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Who's the big ginger fella?
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Thebigginge - who's the nicest pro you've met?
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Who's the big ginger fella?
Doesn't the username give it away lol
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And who is very critical over the bats they have made?
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Alex, you have a dream job.....
How did you get into bat making?
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Who's the big ginger fella?
I always go for subtlty in my usernames!
Thebigginge - who's the nicest pro you've met?
Hard question to answer, Cooky is always a laugh, Ramps is great, Shiv Chanderpaul was very polite (only got to meet him the once)
And who is very critical over the bats they have made?
Rob Key (before he left) without question
How did you get into bat making?
Started out with an office job with the company, moved into the yard to do a bit of peeling and splitting, then inside to spend a year doing repairs and then on to bat making!!
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Anyone that could hit the burra head section of the branding would need to throw underarm.
Who's watch is on the bench ?
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All those glorious clefts from yesterday... and now I bet Meaker has a couple... pah what a waste!!!
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All those glorious clefts from yesterday... and now I bet Meaker has a couple... pah what a waste!!
It'ts not always down to me to decide who gets the pick of the blades!
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Who uses the heaviest bat out of your pro's?
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I don't know about anyone else, but even on my screen that bat looks amazing. GN really have got some amazing bats out. I used a bottom of the range Oblivion one my club mates has and even though it's got one of those printed faces on, the shape, pickup and ping of the bat were brilliant. I almost bought one but I didn't like the covering.
Wish Stuart all the best for the T20's too!
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Why Rob Key mate? What were his specs?
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rob needs a special section in the handle for cake!
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Harsh , though if he was any good then a fair call.
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rob needs a special section in the handle for cake!
Ahhhh! Funny you should mention cakes and Rob Key!
Think about this.........
Rob Key portly stature.....Fattus Cattus portly stature!
Rob Key liking for cakes....Fattus Cattus liking for cakes!
Rob Key class batsman.....Fattus Cattus class batsman! ;)
Coincidence? Hmmm! :o
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I cannot fault GN as they are superb people to do business with.
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Ahhhh! Funny you should mention cakes and Rob Key!
Think about this.........
Rob Key portly stature.....Fattus Cattus portly stature!
Rob Key liking for cakes....Fattus Cattus liking for cakes!
Rob Key class batsman.....Fattus Cattus class batsman! ;)
Coincidence? Hmmm! :o
and have you ever seen us both in the same room at the same time?
It's like Michael and LaToya Jackson!
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Mr Wilton needs to improve the standard of his English. The plural of Oblivion is Oblivions not Oblivion's. Quality bats let down by a poor press release.
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Alex,
Have you ever met Mohammad Yousuf? If so what was his profile and how was he?
Second question will Gray Nicolls make Scoop/GN100 in Grade 1?
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Although I have met M.Y I have not had the priveledge of making his equipment, his english made blades were done by either J. Gasson or the late P. Swaine. He was a lovely chap to talk to though.
I can't say that we won't ever make them from grade 1's but at the moment there are no plans to.
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why are scoops not made from g1 willow?
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why are scoops not made from g1 willow?
I'd guess that people will likely buy them anyway, and that there's probably more profit in grade 2 willow. Either that or a shortage of g1 clefts and an excess of g2 that needs used up.
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No need to guess Kulli , I'm sure Alex can answer the question.
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No need to guess Kulli , I'm sure Alex can answer the question.
Where's the fun in that?
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Let's wait on the funny answer from Alex.
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Nothing funny here
Not my decision to make from approx 5*willow (although our grading policy is different to everyone else so putting G2 or G1 means nothing) the company wanted to make something popular at a price that didn't make people think about taking out a mortgage to buy it. We already have the Legend and Captains Choice to do that!
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Alex, can you give us a bit of an insight into how the GN Grading system works?
We have:
L.E.
Players
Extreme Pro
Carbo
5 Star
4 Star
You took me through it on the stand at Lord's but it might help some of the guys on here to understand it a little better.
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I think you have it right on this one. I think it will be a huge seller during the next 12months.
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Alex
Can you please clear your inbox, as id like to PM you.
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hey big ginge
we met at the lords india game
that's for the time talking about willow and grading.
Me and my mate came away knowing more than we did before
cheers mate
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hey big ginge
we met at the lords india game
that's for the time talking about willow and grading.
Me and my mate came away knowing more than we did before
cheers mate
You are most welcome!
Alex
Can you please clear your inbox, as id like to PM you.
Inbox cleared
As far as grading goes I cannot post on here all the specifics, I can tell you what we are looking for though.
Legend: The Mutts Nuts, biggest, lightest, tightest, will be graded separately to everything else
LE: As above but with some marking
Players: Slightly wider grain but with marking in the strike zone, has to offer something in performance that overcomes knot/pin marks
Ex.Pro: As players but with more dis-colouring, must be huge and heavyweight
From here it gradually decreases in cosmetic quality. Our in house grading works in a way that you can find LE/EX.Pro/Players all within the one graded stack, it is down to the bat makers to make the decisions during making.
Sorry I can't be more specific!
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hey big ginge
we met at the lords india game
that's for the time talking about willow and grading.
Me and my mate came away knowing more than we did before
cheers mate
I like people who post although it's a poem :D