Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:02:28 AM

Title: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:02:28 AM
Hi guys,

I may sound a bit vague but I am looking for a bat of International standards. I mean the bat with which International players play? I know there are many companies like Adidas, MRF etc makes bats with specifications of Sachin, Virat but if I for eg buy a Adidas Master Blaster Elite or MRF Virat would they be of same quality and standards as of bats used by these players in matches? I hope it makes sense.

Thanks.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 09:05:34 AM
Simple answer - no. Adidas, MRF etc won't do you a players quality bat as their pros will almost certainly use another maker and just sticker them up.

Go to B3 who will do you an exact players spec bat in players willow.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:12:02 AM
I think they are of same shape and pickup as players but not sure about willow quality?

let me know if i'm wrong.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 09:17:16 AM
I think they are of same shape and pickup as players but not sure about willow quality?

let me know if i'm wrong.
Which company are you referring to??
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:19:00 AM
Adidas, MRF, Spartan etc.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 09:26:15 AM
Adidas, MRF, Spartan etc.
They just have the same stickers on mate, marketing tools if you like.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:28:05 AM
thanks for your reply,

how much do you think i have to shell out if i want player grade willow?

Can you recommend a player grade willow ready made bat?

Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Neon Cricket on September 12, 2014, 09:35:08 AM
£400 from B3 and you'll get a players grade (crown cleft) but to be honest you're better off going to someone like Hell 4 Leather who can provide a bat of players grade for less
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 09:38:53 AM
Thanks,

Do I have to get this from custom companies like H4L or B3 or can you name some off the shelf bats model and make which you think are made of crown willow?

I was bidding on ebay for Hammer black Limited edition. not sure if its players grade or not. I bought a Bradbury Players bat but i am not happy with its ping.!



Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: roco on September 12, 2014, 09:48:13 AM
crown is there best willow but there players use 3 stripe as well which is a lot less

lots on here could make what you need

prob best to look at who makes for the player your looking at
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 09:49:33 AM
GM players edition

GN Legend

Kookaburra Players

Paul Aldred will probably do you a bat from the same willow as his pros

B3

H4L

You can probably get one from Newbery but I'm not certain.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: The Palmist on September 12, 2014, 09:50:19 AM
Few players use off the shelf bats some forum retailers will confirm. You can just buy one of those bats. Roots six6 for example.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Seniorplayer on September 12, 2014, 10:08:27 AM
Most  companies who make for the pros keep there best clefts and finished bats for the pros to select what they want.
Sometimes a bat that has been made for a pro and has been rejected can find its way to a retailer but is it suitable for you?
The best way to get what you require is to visit a batmaker and state the quality  standard Spec and  weight etc of the bat you want you could also ask if you could see a selection of clefts and choose one
as the batmaker will have a good idea what the bat will be like when finished,weight etc.
Sometimes though even after selecting your cleft flaws can be discovered.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 11:06:39 AM
At the moment I have GM original LE, Bradbury players edition, Adidas master blaster elite. My Gm was a real gun but broke and now I can't find a bat with same or better performance!
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 11:14:48 AM
At the moment I have GM original LE, Bradbury players edition, Adidas master blaster elite. My Gm was a real gun but broke and now I can't find a bat with same or better performance!
And it begins!!

The GM had probably "opened up" and you were used to it.
Too many on here use a bat twice and dispose of it (myself included!)
Give a bat a chance, get used to it and let it open up.
I'm sure the GM did go like a rocket, but probably after a few nets and matches for you to get used to it and for the bat to open up
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Stuey on September 12, 2014, 11:15:12 AM
At the moment I have GM original LE, Bradbury players edition, Adidas master blaster elite. My Gm was a real gun but broke and now I can't find a bat with same or better performance!
Another GM? :D
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 11:55:09 AM
If some one has played with Players Willow bat (the ones used by international players) ,  can he confirm it's worth spending that sort of money? I don't mind spending money if there's a big difference in ping from the bats that I have already.... Would appreciate some advice.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Mattsky on September 12, 2014, 12:09:45 PM
I've a bespoke-design crown willow bat made for me by B3. It was partially knocked in by them, partially by me. I've only played a couple of games with it, so it has yet to fully open up, but I'm getting more value for my shots than my old bat. Is it worth £400? to me, yes. It's my first new bat in over 10 years, and it's a thing of power and beauty.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Chad on September 12, 2014, 12:33:10 PM
I've had a couple of bats supposedly destined for pros:

B&S Tendulkar shape from Uzi Sports, apparently meant for a Test Player
Helios Atlas, from the Newbery Pro Bin - Confusing one
Mongoose stickered TK Pro

And bats that are apparently the same as what pros would get:
Screaming Cat Series 1
L&W Reserve x 2
SS LE fuller profile
Bulldog

Are the above the best bats I've had? Yes, probably. Are pro bats worth the heavy price tag? Usually not. However, if you use them well, and they make you feel confident and happy with your bat, then they are worth it. (Most of the above were purchased at a good price though, so were worth it!) I do think that the service B3 offer for a Crown Bespoke bat is great though, and that the batmakers are entitled to charge a decent amount of money for their services.

I reckon that a good bat that you like the pick up of, you prepare properly, and use well will perform near the level of pro bats, and sometimes better. Of all the well known manufacturers, I find that exceptional bats from GM, Newbery and CA tend to be more common where I play. (GM and Newbery ones tend to be well used, while the CA tend to be relatively new)

I think the new craze now is to have a fuller profile with a decent edge and spine size. (Referred to as the pro shape) It's my preference too, and I find that SS can provide this at an affordable, so they are quickly becoming my favourite bat maker.

Hope this helps! :)
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 12:50:38 PM
I've had a couple of bats supposedly destined for pros:

B&S Tendulkar shape from Uzi Sports, apparently meant for a Test Player
Helios Atlas, from the Newbery Pro Bin - Confusing one
Mongoose stickered TK Pro

And bats that are apparently the same as what pros would get:
Screaming Cat Series 1
L&W Reserve x 2
SS LE fuller profile
Bulldog

Are the above the best bats I've had? Yes, probably. Are pro bats worth the heavy price tag? Usually not. However, if you use them well, and they make you feel confident and happy with your bat, then they are worth it. (Most of the above were purchased at a good price though, so were worth it!) I do think that the service B3 offer for a Crown Bespoke bat is great though, and that the batmakers are entitled to charge a decent amount of money for their services.

I reckon that a good bat that you like the pick up of, you prepare properly, and use well will perform near the level of pro bats, and sometimes better. Of all the well known manufacturers, I find that exceptional bats from GM, Newbery and CA tend to be more common where I play. (GM and Newbery ones tend to be well used, while the CA tend to be relatively new)

I think the new craze now is to have a fuller profile with a decent edge and spine size. (Referred to as the pro shape) It's my preference too, and I find that SS can provide this at an affordable, so they are quickly becoming my favourite bat maker.

Hope this helps! :)

Do SS has a warehouse here in UK or do you get bespoke bat from them from India? Do you mind telling me how can I get hold of them?


This forum is by far the most helpful forum! More suggestions welcome!
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 01:04:00 PM
SS have a factory in the Uk (near Vitas I think?) so if you ask I'm sure Jake could find you one.

I've just ordered 2 SS bats from India (admittedly they are not bespoke) but the prices are crazy!

Whichever route you go down I'm sure you'll be pleased with the bat you receive mate.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 12, 2014, 01:06:22 PM
SS have a factory in the Uk (near Vitas I think?) so if you ask I'm sure Jake could find you one.

I've just ordered 2 SS bats from India (admittedly they are not bespoke) but the prices are crazy!

Whichever route you go down I'm sure you'll be pleased with the bat you receive mate.

By Crazy you mean too good? DO you mind sharing the models and prices you got from India?
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 01:11:16 PM
For £120 posted I got an SS Super Power and an SS Orange, picked to mumy specs and pictures sent so I knew what I was getting mate.
2 bats for the price if have paid for 1 over here (and my first experience of an Indian bat - so some kind of review to follow)
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: VKS on September 12, 2014, 01:13:32 PM
SS have a factory in the Uk (near Vitas I think?) so if you ask I'm sure Jake could find you one.

I've just ordered 2 SS bats from India (admittedly they are not bespoke) but the prices are crazy!

Whichever route you go down I'm sure you'll be pleased with the bat you receive mate.
SS do not have a factory in the UK. They have only one manufacturing unit and that is in India.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Chad on September 12, 2014, 01:16:00 PM
SS do not have a factory in the UK. They have only one manufacturing unit and that is in India.

I think he meant storage!
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on September 12, 2014, 01:16:48 PM
SS do not have a factory in the UK. They have only one manufacturing unit and that is in India.
Do I mean warehouse??
I'm sure they've got a load of bats stored somewhere that you (by which I mean retailers) can go and hand pick from (or am I making stuff up?)
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: LDifa on September 13, 2014, 08:24:43 PM
B3 all the way, I am so impressed by them
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 25, 2014, 12:03:18 PM
i just bought a kookaburra bubble players edition bat. arriving today. any reviews on them?
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Stuey on September 25, 2014, 12:10:12 PM
i just bought a kookaburra bubble players edition bat. arriving today. any reviews on them?
They are terrible , what ever you do don't buy one....oh

sorry couldn't resist.. :)
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 25, 2014, 12:18:02 PM
thats a shame! all my excitement gone in the drain! why do you think they are terrible?
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: Stuey on September 25, 2014, 12:21:44 PM
thats a shame! all my excitement gone in the drain! why do you think they are terrible?
I don't, I use Kooks, it was a bad joke apologies.

I've never used a Bubble but I've used Ricochets and kahunas which have been great.
Title: Re: International Quality Cricket Bat?
Post by: drsaurabhg on September 25, 2014, 12:26:28 PM
thats a really bad joke mate!  :D