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[Cowcorner]

Whilst out the other day I popped into a cricket shop and ended up chatting to the fella about the new 2013 ranges - this culminated in him saying that lots of the companies were not doing much more than changing stickers - he was particularly critical of Slazenger ( which he sold) and kookaburra (also sold) saying that the ricochet and blade are the same bat! He did say that Gray Nics have actually overhauled their range properly (also sold).
I can only really see two possible reasons for this, either a) he is correct or b) he's cynically having a punt to try and sell off his 2012 range of kit. I must say that b) seems unlikely as he did proffer a very honest review of three upright bags saying that only one of them actually worked properly! So, do any of you agree with the man or do you think he's a nutter?

[Liam-SCCC]

Have a look at some of the 2013 Kookaburras and see if they have 12 stamped on the shoulder, I've seen it done

[johnnyw]

The only kook Ive ever bought has no shoulder stamps. It is a rouge 850

[Canners]

Seems a reasonable possibility

Which was the bag he rated ?

[ItsJustCricket]

Whilst out the other day I popped into a cricket shop and ended up chatting to the fella about the new 2013 ranges - this culminated in him saying that lots of the companies were not doing much more than changing stickers - he was particularly critical of Slazenger ( which he sold) and kookaburra (also sold) saying that the ricochet and blade are the same bat! He did say that Gray Nics have actually overhauled their range properly (also sold).
I can only really see two possible reasons for this, either a) he is correct or b) he's cynically having a punt to try and sell off his 2012 range of kit. I must say that b) seems unlikely as he did proffer a very honest review of three upright bags saying that only one of them actually worked properly! So, do any of you agree with the man or do you think he's a nutter?

Out of interest, what was the shop?

[Simmy]

well slazenger have new bats and redesigned handles and all sorts i was very very impressed with there gear this year

[Alvaro]

This doesn't surprise me. A cricket retailer told me that when Woodworm changed their labels a lot of the new bats were restickered stock.

[Cowcorner]

Out of interest, what was the shop?

It was Mr Cricket in burwell near Cambridge - it wasn't the owner I was talking to - a cricket player and enthusiast who worked there.

[Tom]

It's not uncommon for brands to take bats back which have been in stores and stick the updated stickers on them.

Surprised with the comments about Slaz though, I thought they'd made a real effort with their range.

[Cowcorner]

Seems a reasonable possibility

Which was the bag he rated ?

There were three stood up together - the Newbery Tour, GN legend and the blue and orange Aero bag. I made a passing comment about how much bigger the Newbery was than I expected and he reckons that the only true stand-up bag is the Aero (due to some inner struts) and that the other two have a tendency to flop over a bit. He didn't mention any other brands though.

[Cowcorner]

It's not uncommon for brands to take bats back which have been in stores and stick the updated stickers on them.

Surprised with the comments about Slaz though, I thought they'd made a real effort with their range.

I must admit I was surprised as well given the addition of the V range - now the V12 is a bat - I'm tempted by that and the Dynadrive for a really retro kit bag!!