Topic: Better Quality Kit = Better Player? (Read 2163 times)

no1northernbloke · « **on:** February 29, 2012, 11:41:48 AM »

Was thinking about this the other day. I suppose that everyone wants the best quality of kit that they can get, but was wondering if it has an impact on how you play. Essentially if you look and feel like the part, do you play like you are?

I can see that a top quality bat should increase your confidence in being able to clear the boundaries more easily, but do pads, gloves etc really make that much of a difference? In these hard times with jobs being scarce and with less money to go around I'm wondering if your performance would noticeably drop if you used basic equipment?

Personally I think there are two sides to the coin. From a mental point of view if you feel confident with what you're wearing/using then you're more likely to succeed. But if you go out there and 'have all the gear and no idea' someone from the opposition will generally let you know and this will probably impact your mental state.

Thoughts?

Manormanic · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:58:24 AM »

I suppose your performance drops if you break a finger?

Manormanic · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:59:26 AM »

Or, perhaps more directly pertinent, if you're having to run in clodding great pads?

PedalsMcgrew · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:59:53 AM »

I think it's all about the individual. A good bat speaks for itself but good quality softs is all about comfort and protection so if you feel comfortable and well protected it removes any doubt from your mind. Having said that some of the best players I have seen use mid range bats, knackered pads, mismatched gloves and are still miles better than anyone else!

So, it doesn't make you a better player although I do think that, for some, it helps you adopt a good state of mind when at the crease!

Manormanic · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:03:47 PM »

Horses for courses really, isn;t it. I mean, we've got a guy who must have scored 50'000 over his career who still insists on batting in top of the range pads and those old fashioned gloves with the spiky rubber bits on 'em!

Buzz · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:04:27 PM »

this is a really good question for all the reasons you outline.

my view is that you should use kit that you find comfortable and by being comfortable you should, in theory be then able to play better.

now that may not always be the case but it will be most times.

but does the kit have to be the best money can buy or that a pro would use.

well not in my view.

but then I did have to ask what the difference in protection levels between the gm909 pads and the gm original l.e. pads. which says I wanted piece of mind I had the best protection on offer.
it wont make me a better player, but it might give me a bit more confidence, which won't hurt

19reading87 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:09:54 PM »

For me a normally associate people who come out to bat in a masuri know what they are doing... Sometimes the case sometimes not

Number4 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:30:31 PM »

A better bat doesn't mean more runs.. A bat that suits does...

Example: 2009 I used a 20 year old bat, 2010 I bought a bat worth au$800 (�540), 2011 bought a au$200 grade 2/3 bat.
2009 & 2011 scored twice as many runs as I did in 2010 and I put that down to using a bat that really didn't suit me... I was just trying something different and it certainly didn't work... Expensive experiment

RoCo Da Pixie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:18:30 PM »

I think if you have a bat that you are confident in and know suits you well, Then you are most likely to back yourself at the crease. Pads and Gloves are personal preference if you are comfortable in wearing them then they will work.

123* · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2012, 01:19:08 PM »

Makes a massive difference in my head at least, if I'm not using gear I don't look good in or think is top of the range I'd rather not bat, maybe stupid to lots but just the way I am...

ianbuchanan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2012, 03:06:43 PM »

I'm the opposite to most on here I feel.. If i'm using brand new matching kit, I ry too hard to play technically correct shots and to look the part, otherwise I feel people will think i'm one of those with all the 'all the gear and no idea'. Whereas if I have older kit, I feel I have nothing to lose as the oppo will take one look at the kit and think i'm (No Swearing Please) anyway!

Hope that sort of makes sense!

123* · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2012, 03:08:04 PM »

Agree mate, if I look good I raise my game as people expect me to play well as I look like I will be good ha!

Author Topic: Better Quality Kit = Better Player? (Read 2163 times)

no1northernbloke

Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

Manormanic

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

Manormanic

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

PedalsMcgrew

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

Manormanic

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

Buzz

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

19reading87

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

Number4

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

RoCo Da Pixie

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

123*

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

ianbuchanan

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?

123*

Re: Better Quality Kit = Better Player?