Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: gdc on January 17, 2014, 02:27:39 PM
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I've been reading the forum for a few weeks. I want to buy a bat, or rather I think I want a bat, but I'm not sure if it is sensible at this point. I'm 37 and almost a beginner. I didn't even really play cricket at school, spending my time with the athletics team instead, but I did a little bit in the nets in some PE lessons. That's about it though. But I want to play now, and have just joined my local club and am now going to the winter nets sessions. I hope to be playing in Sunday friendly games come the start of the season.
So I have no batting profile or preference on which to base a purchase decision.
If I did buy, I like the idea of an unbranded/plain bat, for about £50, that represents a 'middle-of-the-road' profile that is neutral to technique (or lack of technique) if that makes sense, but I don't know what to look for that fits this. I am 6'2" and so would get a normal adult/short handle bat, but have no idea about an appropriate weight. If it is useful I am in good shape - I train (free weights) typically three times a week, and usually pick up new sports quite quickly.
Alternatively I can just borrow for my batting sessions in the net, try to get a sense of what I like, and wait for a while. I could even educate myself in the delights of custom bats in the meantime, however, I think it is unlikely that I could justify spending more than £100 though given the rest of the kit I will need to get and the family finances!
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, and I won't be offended if I should push off to somewhere else given my spend profile!
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Firstly welcome to the forum. It doesn't matter what your budget is for a bat. This forum is for the love and enjoyment for cricket.
As your a beginner I would suggest if possible going to your local cricket shop and just picking up bats and having a swing and a feel for what you like and the weight that you prefer. Also ask at nets if you can do the same and go from there.
At a budget of £50 you may be better off then looking at sports direct sale or something off eBay. You can ask for advice on here if you do see something you like
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Firstly welcome to the forum. It doesn't matter what your budget is for a bat. This forum is for the love and enjoyment for cricket.
As your a beginner I would suggest if possible going to your local cricket shop and just picking up bats and having a swing and a feel for what you like and the weight that you prefer. Also ask at nets if you can do the same and go from there.
At a budget of £50 you may be better off then looking at sports direct sale or something off eBay. You can ask for advice on here if you do see something you like
perfect advice
£50 is the very very bottom of the market price wise so choice may be limited
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Thanks guys, advice is much appreciated.
Given the comments about choice being so limited at this price, would I get more for my money considering something like this:
http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=28184.msg442673#msg442673 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=28184.msg442673#msg442673)
instead of a bottom of the range model from one of the more well known brands on sports direct?
Thanks again.
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Asad is a very good person to buy a bat from! His shop is rammed full of top performing bats. If you live within driving distance go and see him, if not go to the nets or a local shop and get a feel for the sort of weight you are after, then speak to Asad about one of his plain bats.
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I would stay away from Sports Direct.
If you can add another £10, there are some decent GM 404 ranges available.
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look at some low end models from the forum sponsors msr for that price. he has some real bargains
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Thanks guys, advice is much appreciated.
Given the comments about choice being so limited at this price, would I get more for my money considering something like this:
[url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=28184.msg442673#msg442673[/url] ([url]http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=28184.msg442673#msg442673[/url])
instead of a bottom of the range model from one of the more well known brands on sports direct?
Thanks again.
I would still try and visit a shop or just pick up some of your team mates bats to get a feel for the weight of the bat. But giving Asad a bell and getting a bat from him is a great idea at your price point.
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Alternatively I can just borrow for my batting sessions in the net, try to get a sense of what I like, and wait for a while. I could even educate myself in the delights of custom bats in the meantime, however, I think it is unlikely that I could justify spending more than £100 though given the rest of the kit I will need to get and the family finances!
I think this is a sensible approach. You will get much more value out of your purchase once you've actually worked out what sort of bat you're after.
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Hi mate, welcome to the forum.
The best person to ask is Steve who runs MSR who are a forum sponsor. They will be able to sort you a good performing although probably ugly looking bat in a weight that suits you for your budget. If and when you decide you like the game and what to upgrade the MSR will be a god back up bat or pass on to your club.
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I have friends who wanted to buy up in the first few months after they started playing cricket.
Now after 1 season and once they have shown some semblance of understanding, they aren't liking what they have as those bats are just not suiting their style.
Borrowing and practicing for a season and then planning to buy one seems the more sensible approach.
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Hunt around in the shops to get a feel of what you like, make a note of model, weight and how the pick up feels, (light or toe heavy) and a note of the middle position (high, medium,low).
Borrow as many as you can in the nets and the coming season making the same note then decide on what you like best.
Once you really get into the game, you'll be wanting to spend a lot more. ;)
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Asad is a very good person to buy a bat from! His shop is rammed full of top performing bats. If you live within driving distance go and see him, if not go to the nets or a local shop and get a feel for the sort of weight you are after, then speak to Asad about one of his plain bats.
we have few plain bats available for £60 to £80
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Hey mate, try out bats from your mates first...just to get an idea of what shape etc works for you. I am going to guess a bat weighing from 2'10 to 2'12 would work but try different weights before you buy...you get a plenty of used bats off ebay that you don't have to worry about knocking in etc you can just remove the stickers once you get what you want.
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A visit to Asad is highly recommended ,,spoilt for choice for quality bats, and a top bloke who knows his stuff
Blowing £50 on a plank off fleabay, is a total waste of time and money
Pop into Uzi Sports and let Asad advise you on a decent bat
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Thanks everyone, that all seems very sensible. I will wait and see and try a few bats in the nets.
Now, time to go to the pads forum to see if anyone can point me to a good buy with £40 of Amazon vouchers...
Thanks again.
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If you go to a store, make sure to pick a bat up wearing some cricket gloves. This will give you a better indication of the pick up and how it feels.
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Best thing is to speak to someone who actually knows about bats.
Have a chat with Paul Aldred or Matt @H4L they might have something stashed away which would help.
If not a bat maker then try the retailers on this site. They have all earned their stripes and wouldn't let you down.
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trying a few bats in the nets is the way to go - your club might even have a few 'team' bats in the kitbag to try.