Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Topic started by: Thamesvalley on September 14, 2022, 10:14:49 AM
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A follow on topic from other threads that have got quite a bit of interest recently
H4L one of the few companies that sell pro bats that perhaps pros have not taken
A recent one being sold directly from them online
Who’s got one ? Thoughts ? Reviews
Seem well priced versus wcw
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A couple posted here - http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=49568.15 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=49568.15)
Can't say i've tried their pro variety but they've always looked pretty spectacular.
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Look great but I noticed the pro ones have the H4l side logo high up for drs etc
And they are labelled as pro rejects or too light etx
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I bought one that was made but not taken by an essex spinner.
Its enormous and has a fantastic middle. Obviously at the upper end of most budgets but they are nice
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Anyone else bought one ? The chap on social media my cricket gear had a nice one
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I bought one that was made but not taken by an essex spinner.
Its enormous and has a fantastic middle. Obviously at the upper end of most budgets but they are nice
Just saw your message after I posted
Can you post some pics ?
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(https://i.postimg.cc/VLL1PH78/20220908-165431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HjKFQ3DZ) (https://i.postimg.cc/ZYLZghxH/20220908-165438.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/z339b6MH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k43qrJH1/20220908-165525.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDnQgvTg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/JhBMdDpH/20220908-165538.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4k5v9Kt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRPMKjfh/20220908-165549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRjyM82v)
It really won't make you a better batsman if you get a pro bat or not. This one wasn't a bat destined for a pro, but was from Pro grade willow, and oversized, and very illegal in pro play. A monster Root shape which is just staggeringly silly. Made by a guy who has actually dealt with Root's bats before when he was with GM.
Out of interest - are you in the market to buy a bat just now? What exactly is your budget?
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Lovely bat thanks for sharing
Keen to see tailender fielder ones now
In terms of bat search or buying answer is unlikely but that answer becomes yes
If I see something which is a must buy at a fair price if that makes any sense
Love the fact your bat maker had the experience from GM, I think I know who you are referring to
The recent pro bat sold at h4l was really nice , the profile was just amazing although not as grainy
Perhaps why the delay in someone’s buying . Is that why perhaps you didn’t buy it Chad ?
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I had one from another member on here, it was a ripper. Certainly in the top 5 bats I've used but I sold it because I can't bat, the new owner broke it pretty quickly so with my sample size of 1 I'd say they are a little fragile.
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How was his batting ability and where was the break ?
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Made by a guy who has actually dealt with Root's bats before when he was with GM.
Not heard this one before!
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Some interesting looking butterflies on the outlet site.
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Looking at the outlet site now
It makes the pro bat look good value. The standard h4l shapes
don’t look appealing in comparison
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How was his batting ability and where was the break ?
Opening batsman for our 2's so a pretty good player. Had played district cricket in his youth.
Split the cleft right up the centre from the toe to the middle. I put a few dowels in it and it's still going strong.
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Was that not covered by warranty 12 months ?
Was it grainy ? Perhaps the way to go generally is less grains for a more sturdy bat
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(https://i.postimg.cc/VLL1PH78/20220908-165431.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HjKFQ3DZ) (https://i.postimg.cc/ZYLZghxH/20220908-165438.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/z339b6MH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k43qrJH1/20220908-165525.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/WDnQgvTg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/JhBMdDpH/20220908-165538.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Y4k5v9Kt)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fRPMKjfh/20220908-165549.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CRjyM82v)
It really won't make you a better batsman if you get a pro bat or not. This one wasn't a bat destined for a pro, but was from Pro grade willow, and oversized, and very illegal in pro play. A monster Root shape which is just staggeringly silly. Made by a guy who has actually dealt with Root's bats before when he was with GM.
Out of interest - are you in the market to buy a bat just now? What exactly is your budget?
Now that is a stunner, What's the weight Chad?
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Bats whether pro or not should not be splitting down the middle unless something has gone wrong with manufacturing or the wood has an issue as natural product or user error which would be massive
If you can get 2000 runs from a pro bat that would be a bonus if they are indeed more prone to have less life
I find the 1000 run typical usage for a bat life untrue . Hardly anyone I have asked friends wise have suggested a bat life reduces after a 1000 runs .
Would define a pro bat according to h4l sale site as a bat a pro didn’t take for whatever reason
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What's a pro bat? 😆
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Guess have to take h4l word for it
Not much else you can do
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What's a pro bat? 😆
They've got Sharpie on the toe, thought a batmaker would know that 😂
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*orders sharpie from Amazon 😆
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Now that is a stunner, What's the weight Chad?
It's not light, 2lb 14oz, but with 72-73 spine, 45 edge and convex, it's not gonna be 2.8. ;)
Bats whether pro or not should not be splitting down the middle unless something has gone wrong with manufacturing or the wood has an issue as natural product or user error which would be massive
If you can get 2000 runs from a pro bat that would be a bonus if they are indeed more prone to have less life
I find the 1000 run typical usage for a bat life untrue . Hardly anyone I have asked friends wise have suggested a bat life reduces after a 1000 runs .
Would define a pro bat according to h4l sale site as a bat a pro didn’t take for whatever reason
With the way some bats are built these days, you'd be lucky to reach the 1000 run mark without some potentially terminal damage happening at some point. Reason why pros break bats is cause they hit more balls, train for hours daily and face quicker bowling. If they get the lower density stuff, then durability also is generally lower on these.
Lovely bat thanks for sharing
Keen to see tailender fielder ones now
In terms of bat search or buying answer is unlikely but that answer becomes yes
If I see something which is a must buy at a fair price if that makes any sense
Love the fact your bat maker had the experience from GM, I think I know who you are referring to
The recent pro bat sold at h4l was really nice , the profile was just amazing although not as grainy
Perhaps why the delay in someone’s buying . Is that why perhaps you didn’t buy it Chad ?
The bat was indeed destined for one of their pros. I didn't buy it because I didn't feel any need to buy it - I do splash out on bats fairly frequently. Got far too many bats that I'm far too inept to justify.
If you're looking for something to buy at a fair price - you're barking up the wrong tree asking about Pro bats IMO. Not saying it's a cash grab or anything (In some cases it is) but a well made G2 or G3 (I honestly feel like a broken record atm) from a reputable company is what you're looking for. There's some bloke on eBay with DSCs etc listed as 'Pro' Player cricket bats at £200 odd. They've had the grading label removed. If you're dead set on buying a Pro bat - buy one of them. It's all in the head anyways, regardless if they're legitimate Pro bats or not.
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Just looked that up, I think it’s batgarden
No reason to think they are not pro
It’s all in the head as you say …
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Just saw your message after I posted
Can you post some pics ?
I will over the weekend.
What's a pro bat? 😆
Says pro on the label!
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Ah, so the word 'Pro' has replaced the sharpie on the toe?! 😆
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Can see a pro version coming from you soon Johnny
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Ha ha. It's not the use of the word Pro in terms of 'Pro willow' or Pro players shape' etc. Its more the seemingly infinite number of 'Pro' bats I see from people on Instagram or Ebay for sale.
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It started from retailers though and big brands
I believe it started in the US and the big brands well known ones support certain big retailers on you tube with it all
Even know you see many US and other retailers say pro bat or from pro bat bag ..
Massive Indian retailers support it
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The cricket bat gets paid to be a cricket bat, and is therefore a professional cricket bat?
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Keeley-era Newbery used to have a 'pro bin'?
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Im sure I have seen quite a few members on here sell bats from a pro bin on the bay
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It started from retailers though and big brands
I believe it started in the US and the big brands well known ones support certain big retailers on you tube with it all
Even know you see many US and other retailers say pro bat or from pro bat bag ..
Massive Indian retailers support it
I was talking more about used bats being sold as 'pro bats', usually accompanied by something like 'I was told this was intended for a top county player, but was a bit too heavy'.
Or just 'pro bats' allegedly sourced from pro players. If they're all to be believed, the pro's give a hell of a lot of bats away. The ones I know generally keep hold of them until they're absolutely knackered.
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The ones I know generally keep hold of them until they're absolutely knackered.
I had one of the Australian women's squad players Kookaburra which she'd given to the coach because it was finally 'dead'. I've never seen a bat so badly delaminated, I chopped the toe off and turned it into a fielding bat for him and it's still going. The specs weren't special, no 40mm edges and 2.4 weight.
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Or just 'pro bats' allegedly sourced from pro players. If they're all to be believed, the pro's give a hell of a lot of bats away. The ones I know generally keep hold of them until they're absolutely knackered.
Some of them do from what I know! That said, a pro bat reject is no particular guarantee of a good bat - the only 100% definite pro owned stick that I've had my hands on in person was genuinely rubbish, picked up horrible and didn't ping - no wonder they gave it away!
I've got a teammate who reckons he's got an ex Dawid Malan GM. He still can't get it off the square with it though :D
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Some of them do from what I know! That said, a pro bat reject is no particular guarantee of a good bat - the only 100% definite pro owned stick that I've had my hands on in person was genuinely rubbish, picked up horrible and didn't ping - no wonder they gave it away!
I've got a teammate who reckons he's got an ex Dawid Malan GM. He still can't get it off the square with it though :D
Kinda just backed up my thoughts they're @edge mate. They may give a few away, but which ones and would it make anyone a better player?
My thoughts, the give away the ones they don't like, don't feel that ping as much as others or are knackered....and no, the average clubbie wouldn't be any better using one! 😆
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What's the village-looking tape a lot a pros seems to have on their bats nowadays? (I am reluctant to describe the colour as I am red/green colourblind, but to my eyes it looks like parcel tape.)
If you don't know what I'm talking about, check pictures of Saif Zaib's knock for Northants against Surrey.
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Elastoplast
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Elastoplast
Why might this be preferable to fibre-glass tape?
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Why might this be preferable to fibre-glass tape?
Because pros are lazy and the physios have a plentiful supply of tapes.
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Because pros are lazy and the physios have a plentiful supply of tapes.
It's taken them a lot of years to realise?
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url=https://postimg.cc/7bGjshWm](https://i.postimg.cc/Y2bkSmfK/634-A6-F7-A-0-B69-47-D1-ACB1-1606-C3478574.jpg)[/url]
(https://i.postimg.cc/QtqD1F27/987781-C8-546-A-4555-8-C71-4-FFC8-F0567-F6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2b3gfS8j)
(https://i.postimg.cc/sx6RHtDD/9-F6-F47-B1-533-A-4-D90-A05-B-7-F87-E349-DD43.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/p5F7pcFg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/J04Lq182/E3-C4-D88-E-C59-F-4088-98-A8-360218-B7-CA18.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/cgj21GrR)
This is the bat i bought when i visited H4L in August. As i said, he made it for a sponsored player who didn’t want it. I bought it after making a ‘pile’ of bats i liked the pick up of and then picked the one that felt best off the mallet. It does have a skinny handle, I’ve put a thick spiral grip on it and used some pink medical tape to thicken the bottom hand.
Obviously a few people have said, having the word pro on the sticker and being made for a professional cricketer do not make it better than any other bat. I am sure people like Johnny could make a bat just as good bat for less but i wanted a massive H4L bat, ive always used Salix bats which are by far my favourite but i just got a bit jealous of all these giant bats people have and fancied one.
You can force it through the gauge, really tight on the spine and after a net i can confirm the middle is huge and it really goes.
I did like that netting left no marks / dents after my first net, so it really is ready to go which my misses family are really greatful for.
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Lovely stick. Matt makes a very nice bat and I'm sure it'll go very very well. Not to be misunderstood, my issue isn't with people naming bats 'Pro Grade', or actual batmakers selling bats they've genuinely made for Pro's. Its more the used bats sold on Ebay as 'pro wands' etc for top money. I suppose i just don't trust half of their backstories, but that's different imo to picking up a lovely bat direct from a batmaker who makes for lots of professional cricketers.
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It's not light, 2lb 14oz, but with 72-73 spine, 45 edge and convex, it's not gonna be 2.8. ;)
Gutted 😁 if it was 2.8lb I would have done a road trip with my mum 😁 she could have played the piano and we could have discussed bats & the economy 😁
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Lovely stick. Matt makes a very nice bat and I'm sure it'll go very very well. Not to be misunderstood, my issue isn't with people naming bats 'Pro Grade', or actual batmakers selling bats they've genuinely made for Pro's. Its more the used bats sold on Ebay as 'pro wands' etc for top money. I suppose i just don't trust half of their backstories, but that's different imo to picking up a lovely bat direct from a batmaker who makes for lots of professional cricketers.
I know the stickers were not, i was maybe being a tad flippant. Pro bats bought from ebay are probably a gamble and even if true its not like its gonna be harry potters wand.
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Lovely stick. Matt makes a very nice bat and I'm sure it'll go very very well.
Doesn't he make for Newbery now?
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Elastoplast
Not sure it is.
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Please do report back when you have a definitive answer.
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Please do report back when you have a definitive answer.
Will do. You never really want to ask a player anything when he's just got out. Let alone about bat tape. But from about 10 yards away it looks shiny and rather like, erm, parcel tape. Tom Cohler-Cadmore and George Hill had it on their bats last week.
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But from about 10 yards away it looks shiny and rather like, erm, parcel tape.
Zinc oxide tape…
https://firstaid4sport.co.uk/product/premium-tan-zinc-oxide-tape-13-7m/?attribute_pa_size=5cm-x-13-7m&attribute_pa_pack-size=1-roll&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=FA4S%20Google%20Shopping&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=1909&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj-K72Ju4-gIVRuztCh2Gkw6ZEAQYASABEgLX9vD_BwE
Straight out the Physio’s bag!
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Thanks.
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Zinc oxide tape.
Alex Hales.
Will be a forum trend next season.