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[Tom]

Mongoose initially used Hunts County for their higher ranged bats but now this has apparently changed. Could you say who it is now if this is true.

4 batmakers (2 India, 2 UK) make Mongoose's at the moment. SS is one, Hunts do a small amount, the other 2 have asked it's kept quiet so in their interests I'm not going to shout about it.

[Tom]

do u want Tres to hit the ball out of lords? its gonna cost u a few bob

Insured, but he's got only 1 game to do it this season and that's only if Somerset make it to the final.

[Tom]

Fussiest pro?

I don't mind them being fussy when they know what they're talking about. The majority just want it to look big and bowed - kudos in the changing room maybe?

Fussiest is probably Azhar Mahmood. Trescothick is picky about handles, but he'll do work on them himself to get them to spec.

[100 not out]

do any of your pros use normal bats ? i mean with a conventional splice.

[mattw]

How do you see Mongoose expanding? Obviously with Tres now being sponsored you're going to get more interest and a lot more people take the bats seriously. However do you see the Mii3 as the only innovation that Mongoose will bring to cricket? Or are you currently researching new ways of innovating the products within the game?

[Colesy]

Thanks Tom. I'm all out of questions now.

[Tom]

do any of your pros use normal bats ? i mean with a conventional splice.

On occasion yes. The restickering of bats is not something I'm fond of, but it does happen and I would say that's the case with all brands.

The pro's swap bats in the changing rooms, try out other makers etc. Much like ourselves on this forum.

[100 not out]

On occasion yes. The restickering of bats is not something I'm fond of, but it does happen and I would say that's the case with all brands.

The pro's swap bats in the changing rooms, try out other makers etc. Much like ourselves on this forum.

fair enough. . . . very honest of you Tom

[100 not out]

in general terms what things do pro's look for in a bat. are they knowledgeable about willow and bats.

[Tom]

How do you see Mongoose expanding? Obviously with Tres now being sponsored you're going to get more interest and a lot more people take the bats seriously. However do you see the Mii3 as the only innovation that Mongoose will bring to cricket? Or are you currently researching new ways of innovating the products within the game?

Perfecting the game in the UK and then spreading into new markets I think is the aim.

Ideally I'd like to refresh and continue the evolution of a full kit in the way Aero have done but as ever there are budgets. Mongoose's soft gear for this season I'm very pleased with.

[Tom]

in general terms what things do pro's look for in a bat. are they knowledgeable about willow and bats.

Generally they just want a big bow with big edges.

Some are knowledgable. Azhar Mahmood weighed all the raw clefts to find the lightest. Trescothick can tell the batmaker often by just looking at the bat. Whereas Lou Vincent will use pretty much anything.

[mattw]

How strong are the brand contracts for players? Are they a one-season only thing or is every contract different?

Can a player buy himself or the brand by a player out of a current contract if he wants to be sponsored by a different brand?

[cricketboy2010]

tom,

is itias still up for sale?

[coverpoint_pro]

Are there any of the bigger brands who you look too sometimes for advice, and do they give it?
Also which of the brands do you respect the most and why?

[Tom]

How strong are the brand contracts for players? Are they a one-season only thing or is every contract different?

Can a player buy himself or the brand by a player out of a current contract if he wants to be sponsored by a different brand?

In my experience they're 2/3 year deals usually, but it does depend on their age and prospects! With the IPL, tournament based contracts are eeking their way in, but not quite mainstream. I suspect some Indian brands may have signed a few players for the WC on a similar basis.

Usually they come to a natural end, the brand and player then re-negotiate or go their separate ways. I haven't seen players buying their way out of contracts, but that isn't to say it doesn't happen.