Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.The plugs made no difference to the weight, I really should have done before and after weight measurements but I really just did it for the challenge.It's a light bat for the size but I think that has more to do with the cleft and leaving it on a heating register for a couple of weeks than the holes/plugs. I didn't hit too many in the nets so can't really comment on the performance but it seems pretty good.Interestingly the other cleft that I got and shaped up is very disappointing as a bat, probably one of the worst performers I have but I'll reserve final judgement until it's done a few more sessions and been played in properly but it feels pretty average.If anyone has any hot tips on how to get handled clefts to Australia at a semi reasonable price I'm all ears, at the moment I can buy a reasonable quality finished bat for less than the clefts cost.
This bat is still going well and has been my match bat this year. As a genuine number 12, I don't often get called upon to put the pads on but on the couple of occasions that I have used it in a match it's been excellent and is probably my favourite bat are you a genuine offy?