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Companies => Off-the-shelf companies => Gray Nicolls => Topic started by: Danny1981 on January 30, 2019, 04:44:54 PM

Title: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Danny1981 on January 30, 2019, 04:44:54 PM
Gray Nicolls are releasing a special limited edition bat.
The AC Excalibur will be limited to 33 bats,one to honour each of Cooks test centuries.

Are GN missing a trick not re branding the classic range the AC range?
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on January 30, 2019, 04:56:13 PM
Any guesses how much they will be? I’m going £1500
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Alvaro on January 30, 2019, 05:10:41 PM
Never miss a chance to cash in.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: jamielsn15 on January 30, 2019, 05:27:27 PM
Are they going to make more money at silly prices on a run of 33 bats or by, as suggested, rebranding/bringing out a new 'standard priced' AC range?

Or will they do both...
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Bats_Entertainment on January 30, 2019, 05:37:12 PM
Graeme Swann's TMS tribute to Cook, in his final Test, included a line which went something like: "I'll never know how you scored so many runs with such terrible bats."

I got the impression that he wasn't much of a fusser, and simply kept a bat that was doing the job for him for as long as possible. He did do that sawn off corner thing though.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on January 30, 2019, 06:08:56 PM
Any guesses how much they will be? I’m going £1500

I would guess so and unlike the Rolling Stones bat I reckon these will fly out the door very quickly.

You have to sign up to GN to then enter your email and will be sent an email when released by the looks of it
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Kulli on January 30, 2019, 06:32:33 PM
I would guess so and unlike the Rolling Stones bat I reckon these will fly out the door very quickly.

You have to sign up to GN to then enter your email and will be sent an email when released by the looks of it
and fake versions of the stickers on eBay within a month?
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: jchokshi on January 30, 2019, 06:33:55 PM
Is there a link to read more about this. I couldn't find much on GN UK web site.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Kulli on January 30, 2019, 06:36:56 PM
Is there a link to read more about this. I couldn't find much on GN UK web site.
They posted something on Facebook
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: jchokshi on January 30, 2019, 06:38:58 PM
Sweet. Thanks. Here is the direct link,


https://www.gray-nicolls.co.uk/pages/ac-excalibur-limited-edition?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prooduct2019&utm_term=ACExcalibur&utm_content=image_logo (https://www.gray-nicolls.co.uk/pages/ac-excalibur-limited-edition?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=prooduct2019&utm_term=ACExcalibur&utm_content=image_logo)
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: SD on January 30, 2019, 08:40:16 PM
Graeme Swann's TMS tribute to Cook, in his final Test, included a line which went something like: "I'll never know how you scored so many runs with such terrible bats."

I got the impression that he wasn't much of a fusser, and simply kept a bat that was doing the job for him for as long as possible. He did do that sawn off corner thing though.

A couple of years ago GN were at Old Trafford doing a demo in of bat making and one of their sales reps said that the bat Cook was using during the test was more bat tape than willow.  Apparently he would use a bat he liked until it fell apart
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Ayrtek Cricket on February 10, 2019, 09:59:13 PM
Little video preview released at 6pm today
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: jonny77 on February 10, 2019, 10:10:56 PM
https://twitter.com/graynics/status/1094657553210982401?s=19
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: blindowl on February 11, 2019, 09:47:02 PM
I'm sure it will be excellent but imagine the grief you would get if you went out to bat with it!! 
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: edge on February 11, 2019, 10:55:50 PM
I'm sure it will be excellent but imagine the grief you would get if you went out to bat with it!!
Like your average cricketer would even notice!

As usual with these things, the shape looks nothing like Cook's.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: billyb on February 12, 2019, 01:19:03 AM
£450 according to Insta, so roughly Halestorm/Pro Performance/Players Edition price.

450x33= £14,850 for 33 bits of wood. Not bad going really!
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Chalkie on February 14, 2019, 08:53:20 AM
So these were released for sale yesterday and according to their Twitter account last night there was only one left, now looks like that one has gone now. So sold out within 24 hrs.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: dt-second-hand-cricket on February 14, 2019, 09:09:28 AM
wonder if the GN loyality/bonus points idea will take off? - sort of like a clubcard/nectar card for cricket!!!
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: ppccopener on February 14, 2019, 09:21:35 AM
When I saw these were coming out have to say I thought pricing would be around the 750 mark. It's very successful for GN and in the current market where bat prices are very high they have got the timing and price just right, or you could say should of been priced higher as they are all gone in a flash !
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: FattusCattus on February 14, 2019, 10:17:54 AM
Any bat called 'Excalibur' that still has it's shoulders, is an abomination!!
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: SD on February 14, 2019, 11:16:57 AM
I was surprised that they weren't priced higher given the limited stock, not that I am suggesting it represents value for money
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Chalkie on February 14, 2019, 11:20:29 AM
Did anyone on here get one, would be great to see what they get and plans for it - use or keep in box as collectors item (which a few on Twitter seem to be planning)
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: liscon12 on February 14, 2019, 11:35:07 AM
Once Gray-Nicolls have your dough I doubt they even care what you do with it, I bet the majority will be unused and sat in collections

From the pics I saw the other day of it I wasnt impressed, the shape was pants and it had concaving. Not only that it was copying the Aussie sticker style on the back.

A deffo pass for me
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: frontfootdrive2 on February 14, 2019, 11:44:20 AM
Horrific styling,all current models have been designed for U14`s but GN missed a trick here as potential punters will be of a certain demographic,won`t they,and prefer more minimalistic branding ????

sure they`ll fly out so what do GN care,i guess
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: jamielsn15 on February 14, 2019, 03:55:56 PM
I've felt for some years that GN missed a real trick in not having a Cook signature range, aligned in a similar way that Ponting was to the Kahuna. Always felt the Oblivion should have been Cook's signature bat...
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: ppccopener on February 14, 2019, 04:10:19 PM
I think the name of the bat is from the 90's when Nasser used it,maybe robin smith(or both).

Cook stayed loyal to GN yes you might of thought during or after the Ashes away where he got thousands of runs they might of stuck his name on a model. Oblivion I think he used during that period.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: SD on February 14, 2019, 05:45:50 PM
I remember GN for bring out the AC630 during his career.  I am not sure many would want an exact replica of his bat given that he had the top shoulder of the bat cut off.

https://www.prodirectcricket.com/products/GrayNicolls-Test-AC630-Cricket-Bat-Cricket-Bats-Red-Silver-142674.aspx (https://www.prodirectcricket.com/products/GrayNicolls-Test-AC630-Cricket-Bat-Cricket-Bats-Red-Silver-142674.aspx)
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Churchy1989 on February 14, 2019, 08:23:27 PM
If anyone wants one let know, be more than the original price.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: JB on February 14, 2019, 09:44:31 PM
Saw a couple of AC360’s and wasn’t impressed for the money
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Chalkie on February 15, 2019, 12:44:07 PM
If anyone wants one let know, be more than the original price.

Cryptic mate -  did you buy one, in which case please share some pics, or do you know someone who did?
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Churchy1989 on February 15, 2019, 01:02:20 PM
@Chalkie Mates got 2, might sell one to make some money....collectors etc..
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: edge on February 15, 2019, 01:31:48 PM
Can you imagine if you spent £450 on a special collector's edition bat and it turned up with a massive bubble in the stickers...
https://twitter.com/russbmckenzie/status/1096371750265335808?s=19
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: liscon12 on February 15, 2019, 01:43:37 PM
Ouch 😬

Is it me or do the edges on that bat look super rounded like the bats of yesteryear?
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Buzz on February 15, 2019, 01:48:25 PM
For £450 that looks an ordinary bit of willow...
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Kulli on February 15, 2019, 02:29:02 PM
For £450 that looks an ordinary bit of willow...
guess we know now why they weren’t £1000
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Churchy1989 on February 15, 2019, 03:39:44 PM
For £450 that looks an ordinary bit of willow...

Think its more to do with the bat comes with a signature of a Test 100 that AC made, and there will only be 33 of them ever.

Be nice to get one for when you were there to see it!
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Tom on February 15, 2019, 03:57:26 PM
Interesting too that Gray Nicolls released these mid-season (in terms of retailer buying season), didn't make them available to retailers and sold them all direct on their website. There's been a real shift recently for the big brands to try to push direct sales, which makes sense as it's double the margin. Tough world for retailers.
Title: Re: Alastair Cook Excalibur
Post by: Kez on February 15, 2019, 10:42:41 PM
Agreed it’s hard for retailers but unfortunately so many sales are online these days that the brands may as well do it themselves.