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[Vitas Cricket]

What's the bast bat you've ever owned?

Either my Legend from when they first came out. Or a B&S LE that ive had forever, it finally gave up on me this summer.

Why don't you stock newbery bats?

didnt reply to our initial enquiries. At the moment we cant expand into any more brands, but hoping to for 2014.

What are your thoughts on the retro bats companies like GN and Slazenger are releasing, and what bat would you most like to see back?

I personally love the retro thing, look so classy. Whilst not really as retro as say a Dynadrive, I would kill to see a Kookaburra bubble again.

I notice you stock Bellingham and Smith bats. When did you first hear of them and when did you first use one?

Used to be stocked by a retailer fairly local to me for years. I used one because it was something a bit different and the price appealed to me. I stuck with them because the bats are lovely. I am a closeish friend of the guy dealing with B&S in the UK now, which is nice.

[Vitas Cricket]

Had a question on cricket insight that i found interesting, thought i'd share here:

Poor timing for me mate, will be picking up couple new SS ganguly bats and my personal stick for the upcoming season from customs (I guess you know the feeling, anytime new stock comes, always anxious and can't wait to get them).  Maybe I can leave some questions now and you answer during that time tomorrow.

Which brand and range bat is the best bat you ever laid your eyes on (doesn't have to be about performance, on looks and your theory as to how it will play) and the reason why you choose that one?

What do you rank as your worse day at Vitas Cricket and why?

What do you rank as your best day at Vitas Cricket and why?

Which international cricketer you felt the best meeting, if any?

Ever bowl/bat against any int. players, how did it go?


Cheers 

I personally have a soft spot for Bellingham & Smith. To me the gear is really classy to look at, its priced VERY well and most importantly, the bats absolutely fly! This is the brand i would probably go for if i was a customer, not a retailer with access to trade prices, as for the money you pay, very few can compete with B&S. I've owned several B&S bats over the years and all of them have been fantastic to look at, use, and pay for!

Now that i have a near unlimited choice though, i love everything about Gray Nicolls, and i have mostly gray nicolls kit. The legend i got for myself from the early batches a few years back is unbelievable, and although ive never seen one quite like it since, the Legend range just oozes class.

Worst day is either the day we found out we had been screwed over by credit card fraudsters. That or the day i broke down twice on my way in about this time last year, when the weather was -12 and nobody came into the shop all day.

Best day for the shop was probably in May when we had our biggest daily sale to date, but for me personally it was helping a talented teenage batsmen from a local club really nail his technique on a hook shot. He was really ecstatic and it's lovely to see your efforts to mould a young player working before your eyes. Subsequently he has been picked up by Northants.

Whilst not an international. This past season we had John 'the dentist' Maynard, of mid 90's Caribbean and Stanford T20 fame play for my cub. He's 42 now but still shovels it through! He had a load of great knowledge about the game at that level and at that time. Stories of shattering Viv Richards box may or may not be true, but they were great tales in the pub! Full blown internationals wise, i briefly met Steven Finn at Lords a couple of years back, nice lad. BUt for me, it was when i went on a tour of Lords probably 9 years ago now. It was a quiet day and we were the only people taking the tour. About ten minutes in, Graham Gooch joined us, that made my year!

I have had a net with Mohammad Amir this Summer as he knows the Pakistani professional at our club. Safe to say it did not go well and i'm glad i had a chest guard!

[Vitas Cricket]

Would love some more questions guys, or even some follow up to my previous answers.

[The_Bird]

If you could create your perfect brand what would its ranges be like?
For example bat types, pad types, glove colours etc.

[tim2000s]

Which would win in a fight between a horse sized duck and six duck sized horses?

[trypewriter]

What is your preference in bats retro or modern?

[Vitas Cricket]

If you could create your perfect brand what its range be like?
For example bat types, pad types, glove colours etc.

Ooooh, a toughie.

Pads and gloves, i like the classy look, as little branding/colours as possible. All white with maybe a bit of silvery trim/detail. Similar to Salix, the 2013 M&H stuff, (T1 pad aside!) or Bradbury.

Bats is tough. Everyone seems to either slap a splice sticker on, or covers half the face. I'd like to do something a little different image wise, understated but classy, the Rob Pack logos appeal to me as a starting point at least: 



Bats, i'd probably go for some traditional profiles, handmade in England ideally, i'd like to offer something meaty as well though. Peoples eyes light up when they see the special huge H4L bats.

[Vitas Cricket]

What is your preference in bats retro or modern?

that is almost un-answerable. Retro looks are hands down winners.

But the current trend for flat faces is really appealing to me, i don't know if its all in my head or not, but the Argon F2 i tried at our GM event on Monday felt miles better than a normal Argon.

Then there are technological innovations to consider, like carbo handles, Slazenger's hex handles etc.

Its a tough choice, but on balance, i'd go for a retro bat if i was forced to use just one for the rest of my life.

Which would win in a fight between a horse sized duck and six duck sized horses?

Wow, that ones out there!

Surely the horse sized duck would squash the little tiny horses? Then again they could run away, equally the huge duck could swim away.

Who knows!

[SOULMAN1012]

What do you think will be the next big fad with cricket equipment?? We have had big edges, bright colours and now back to the retro looking bats with modern profiles etc.

What is your best selling bat,glove,pad and bag and why do you think that is?

[Chad]

What is your favourite profile of bat, and why? Also, what kind of softs do you like to use? ie. Hinged or sausage gloves, traditional or modern pads, etc

[Vitas Cricket]

What do you think will be the next big fad with cricket equipment?? We have had big edges, bright colours and now back to the retro looking bats with modern profiles etc.

What is your best selling bat,glove,pad and bag and why do you think that is?

Tough to say, it could be a technological innovation thats just round the corner.

D3o in GM gloves hasn't really taken off in a big way. But it may get to the point where batting gloves in their current form are no longer needed. A thin layer of a d3o type material covering the backhand, encased in an attractive minimalist glove, might be enough to protect from ball impacts in the future.

Maybe everyone will return to wanting a convex shape, almost everything off the shelf at the minute is incredibly concaved to achieve massive size for low weight. Forum members are starting to realise that this can give you a less forgiving middle. It may only be a matter of time before the wider market realises too.

Last years best seller was the Oblivion LE bat.

Best glove was probably the top Kookaburra recoil

We sold no end of Grays legend pads too.

Bag is a tough one, but is as definitely a duffle bag.

[charlie15]

If you were allowed to play a game at any ground in the world where would it be and why?

[Vitas Cricket]

What is your favourite profile of bat, and why? Also, what kind of softs do you like to use? ie. Hinged or sausage gloves, traditional or modern pads, etc

I like a mid-low middle, as most pitches i play on are quite low. Other than that, i'm quite open, if something pickups right in my hand i'll use it, regardless of shape, size etc.

I like hinged gloves, i hate sausage, i cant move my hand at all! Pads traditional every time. I'm open to a more traditional look with modern foams etc to save weight, it doesnt have to be a cane pad, but things like those horrible puma pads are just rotten, you look like robocop!

[aidankelleher]

whats the honest difference between the maverick le and players bat try answer as detailed as possible thanks

[Vitas Cricket]

If you were allowed to play a game at any ground in the world where would it be and why?

Toss up between MCG and Lords, its the home of cricket after all.

But having lived in Melbourne for a decent period, and having been to a pretty much sold out boxing day test at the MCG, i'd love to experience that atmosphere as a player.

Ive played at the Lords nursery ground and also the 3 W's Oval in Barbados. Both were amazing experiences.