Topic: Pro Bats (Read 21210 times)

Simmy · « **Reply #45 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:38:26 AM »

mate they have all been shopping at uzi sports!!

look at these "of the shelf bats"

nitro le...

Tom · « **Reply #46 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:48:55 AM »

Quote from: Vic Nicholas on October 13, 2011, 06:25:54 AM

Firstly, I apologize for holding a contrary opinion to yours.

You stated it as fact Vic. It isn't a fact that Hayden and Symonds sit there and watch a batmaker at work.

I agree up to a point they get preferential treatment, in the sense that the top pros can straight ring up the batmaker and order something to their spec. They also won't get a dud. But the end product isn't a million miles away from what we can use and buy.

Vic Nicholas · « **Reply #47 on:** October 13, 2011, 06:57:37 AM »

Quote from: Tom on October 13, 2011, 06:48:55 AM

You stated it as fact Vic. It isn't a fact that Hayden and Symonds sit there and watch a batmaker at work.

I agree up to a point they get preferential treatment, in the sense that the top pros can straight ring up the batmaker and order something to their spec. But the end product isn't a million miles away from what we can use and buy.

Sorry Tom.

I thought I read it in Hayden's Autobiography - perhaps I am mistaken.

Vic Nicholas · « **Reply #48 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:00:31 AM »

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/8222896/Batmaker-Gray-Nicolls-goes-to-the-crease-in-the-Ashes.html

^{"Some of the players � Strauss or Mark Ramprakash � will come and stand over the batmakers while they work," says Richard Gray, sales and marketing chief and one of five fifth-generation family directors.}

Buzz · « **Reply #49 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:02:04 AM »

humm no self promotion or promotion of sponsors in a pros book. ever, that would never happen.

oh.

Tom · « **Reply #50 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:03:31 AM »

Quote from: Vic Nicholas on October 13, 2011, 06:57:37 AM

Sorry Tom.

I thought I read it in Hayden's Autobiography - perhaps I am mistaken.

He wrote out a whole chapter on bats, which I copied out in this topic:

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=8070.0

Vic Nicholas · « **Reply #51 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:04:26 AM »

Quote from: Buzz on October 13, 2011, 07:02:04 AM

humm no self promotion or promotion of sponsors in a pros book. ever, that would never happen.

oh.

There is a whole chapter dedicated to his bats.

Have you read it?

I didn't think so...

Tom · « **Reply #52 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:20:25 AM »

This thread could run it's course very soon, but my final thoughts are below:

Pros are firstly human, they have different demands and are as susceptible to trends and fads as us. They don't all visit the factories. Some do, majority don't. Some send in bat templates, others will just use anything.

A top batmaker will buy one type of willow - English Willow. Of which there's 24 or so grades. Some willow is naturally lighter. Some will perform better. Some is perfect looking. Some has stains all over. There isn't Test Player willow and Standard Willow. There's just willow.

As such it's possible to pick up a top test level performing bat on the shelf, as easily as it is to pick up the deadest piece of willow. The main difference between shop and pro is that the pro has his bats 'screened' before getting them and if they want lots of grains they'll get lots of grains but rest assured it'll perform. They get quality 99% of the time. But if you choose carefully, so can you.

Find out the bat profile which suits you. Find a bat which picks up nicely. Then choose one with a decent rebound and you won't go far wrong. Guys like Hell4Leather and Redback offer bat copying and bat making watching if you're that way inclined - but watching them make a bat won't make it any perform any better. It may help them make something which suits you though.

Buzz · « **Reply #53 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:30:35 AM »

yes I have read that drival a lot of it was copied on to here too, I didn't choose to believe it all.
most of it was a plug for a fine British company.

tom very sensible commentary.

Canners · « **Reply #54 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:36:33 AM »

Tom- bang on

Alvaro · « **Reply #55 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:44:38 AM »

If you've had the misfortune to come across the promotional stuff for the Hayden way, you'd be inclined to take what he says with a pinch of salt.
His gumpf is a mixture of business speak for dummies ('leisuretainment', I ask of you!), contradiction (his strong faith was not contravened by his bullying & sledging 'because it didn't go against how he interpreted the spirit of cricket), fawning to sponsors and just plain drivel.

ppccopener · « **Reply #56 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:52:15 AM »

well said Tom

19reading87 · « **Reply #57 on:** October 13, 2011, 07:53:40 AM »

Rumour has it Dravid had some bats made at V Sports recently when he was in England so that pic might be one of them...

Johnny · « **Reply #58 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:02:21 AM »

One thing I ws going to say, but I think Tom has beaten me to it, is that some of the claims on here seem to be tarring all pro's with the same brush.

I bet there are some pro's out there who are bat geeks like us, and won't use anything that is .1 of a gram too heavy, that doesn't have exactly 39.2mm edges, and must have atleast 10 grains that are no close than 3mm together but no further than 6mm apart, and moisture content must be exactly 7.6%, and the willow must be exactly the same colour as dulux desert wind 2.

That bat is probably quite hard to buy off the shelf..

But then some test pro's will just get a bag of bats sent direct from the factory, and they'll pick them up and use them in the nets, and keep the ones that feel right

langer17 · « **Reply #59 on:** October 13, 2011, 08:06:49 AM »

Pietersen is the least fussy I've heard of

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/bat-talk-with-haydos-and-kp/xc0a1ea

Here is Cook, Haddin and Hussey as well. Hussey seems the fussiest of the 4.

http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/alastair-cook-s-bat/xt7zhnn
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/brad-haddins-bat/xa7hoi9
http://video.au.msn.com/watch/video/husseys-cricket-bat/x25iz02

They were all filmed during the Ashes

Author Topic: Pro Bats (Read 21210 times)

Simmy

Re: Pro Bats

Tom

Re: Pro Bats

Vic Nicholas

Re: Pro Bats

Vic Nicholas

Re: Pro Bats

Buzz

Re: Pro Bats

Tom

Re: Pro Bats

Vic Nicholas

Re: Pro Bats

Tom

Re: Pro Bats

Buzz

Re: Pro Bats

Canners

Re: Pro Bats

Alvaro

Re: Pro Bats

ppccopener

Re: Pro Bats

19reading87

Re: Pro Bats

Johnny

Re: Pro Bats

langer17

Re: Pro Bats