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[Colesy]

Which bats do you prefer, if any preference?

I've never seemed to get on, or like Asian made bats. I don't know what it is about them but I've always preferred bats made in the UK, not used Aus/NZ/SA bats yet. I've used a fair few bats from here and Asia so it isn't based on one or two bats, although I'm sure someone with the collection Mr Hosk has would be better suited to give an opinion.

I have a Boom Boom (SS) at the moment and although it feels nice, has a lot of wood for the weight, it doesn't go as well as any of the English bats I've used. Neither has my Woodworm, both Gray Nichols Vipers, RNS or Puma.

Interested to hear what other people think about bats from around the globe.

[wilkie113]

Two of the best bats I have owned one English and one Asian.
The English was the favoured shape powerbow titanium. Unbelievable middled feel and balance, and the Asian being a Malik, can't remember specifics but it was very good! I used it for half a season without half of the toe. For me it's not about where the bat was made, and more so how it feels.

[kaustav]

I think it comes down to what you are used to. Growing up I played with bats with round handles which were made in Asia; even now I have absolutely no problems playing with round handled bats even though I see a lot of my peers preferring oval handles. It is basically what you are most comfortable with and have gotten used to.

[Kaz092]

I think it is more down to preference although the Asian bats do seem better value for more I mean to say you seem to get more for your money

How much would a grade 1 uk bat cost compared to an Asian grade 1 ??

Also having said that you do get a lot of rotten apples with Asian bats, probably due to the fact that all their top quality stuff is exported hence isn't really sold to the general public unless you have contacts

I met Ravi Bopara today and had a good chat with him about cricket bats and he openly said that the majority of the english team use Asian bats with their sponsors stickers on them, although most use SS its not really run of the mill stuff their is a bat maker in India who is like 60 years old lives in some rural area and makes their bats for them all hand made.... now this is what he said but don't know how much truth is in that statement

There must be a reason why Gray Nicolls are getting all there bats made in India now

It just wouldnt be physically possibly for a batmaker to individually hand craft every bat from start to finish the way say Julian does with his screaming cats

Most of them are just Machine made with the odd touch up

All I'm saying is that if I went and found this bat maker that apparently makes these bats and supplied him the willow how much would he charge me ??

If I went into a shop would I really pay 400 quid for a legend ??

Personally as human beings we all want value for money just feel Asian bats offer you that but you need to look out for the good looking pranks

I've played with and against quite a few pro Asian players over the years ans seen their willow and it is out the top drawer

The willow is the same guess its just down to the quality of the bat maker and the way they are pressed

Be interested to know if there are more traditional bat makers in uk or India

[mad_abt_cricket]

One major difference which I have personally experienced is the bat handle...

Most Asian bats have thin and round handles. That might be the reason why most players from Asia tends to be wristy in their stroke making, as this type of handle would help to play with wrists. Seen so many Indian players play with such thin and round handles while the wood on their bat is huge.

[Fezballoh]

Gotta be more traditional bat makers on the sub-continent surely. All working for much less money which is probably why GN are making bats out there.

[Simmy]

I met Ravi Bopara today and had a good chat with him about cricket bats and he openly said that the majority of the english team use Asian bats with their sponsors stickers on them,

am pretty sure all the gn's will be made in england as there are (No Swearing Please) loads of vids with them picking them up etc at the english workshop

also i know some of the lads using puma rob has done there bats.

did u ask if ravi's bat was SS with gm stickers?

[tim2000s]

am pretty sure all the gn's will be made in england as there are (No Swearing Please) loads of vids with them picking them up etc at the english workshop

also i know some of the lads using puma rob has done there bats.

did u ask if ravi's bat was SS with gm stickers?

Isn't the question "Are they GNs? "?

[Simmy]

well when gn upload loads of vids of cook and straus going to pick there bats up etc and try them all of the racks.

pretty sure they will be

[jamesisapayne]

well when gn upload loads of vids of cook and straus going to pick there bats up etc and try them all of the racks.

pretty sure they will be

...and not a slick marketing ploy Simmy?

Pietersen has openly said his bats are made in India whilst talking to Ian Healy. All the players slazenger and Adidas bats are probably Asian made too

[Simmy]

thats because adidas and slazenger are all made there,
it is impossible to buy a adidas bat and slazenger bat made in the uk.

where as GN u can get them made in both.

i cant see alex as well spending hours making bats for cook and starus for them to get them from india?

[Simmy]

and here is the proof!

http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=14361.0

[kaustav]

thats because adidas and slazenger are all made there,
it is impossible to buy a adidas bat and slazenger bat made in the uk.

Not quite....I have seen an 'Adidas' bat being sold for around 100 dollars in an Indian market which said 'Made in England'; of course the stickers were fake and I had a quiet laugh about it...lol.

[Simmy]

looking at the squad tho there is probs only 4 of them using english bats lol
and thats only the guys using gn/gm/puma lol

[pedaloboy]

This time last year both Bell and KP had some bats from Hawk.
I don't think they used them in many televised matches as the bats seen in use were evidently Asian of origin.
Mike at Hawk showed me his order book and he had sent out - 3 x 2lb:9oz bats to KP for the World Cup.
It was quite amusing as I mentioned to Mike that KP's bats generally had some heartwood on the outside edge. He replied and said, 'He will get what he is (no swearing please) given!'