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[aussiejake]

Okay, it's time to upgrade from my AS V3 which I got ~3 years ago. Probably now too heavy for me (as it gradually got heavier with age) and my changing batting style, so time for a new bat.

Most importantly, my budget is anywhere from $200-350AUD (130-230 pounds), including shipping. That takes out the quality Australian shop offerings (these go for $450+).

My AS was 2.10 pounds and with an additional grip (AS handles are quite small) it was pushing the border for me, heaviness wise. I’m after a 2.8 bat this time.

Now do I go Asian or English? That’s my big question. I can get a quality SS Ton Limited Edition for around $250 delivered. I understand Asian bats tend to be pressed lighter and won’t last as long, but I’ve had little issues with my AS V3. I don't see a tonne of discussion about Asian brands here, compared to PakPassion forums (and vice versa).

I’m a big noob on English brands – there are a tonne of brands I’ve never even heard of when browsing around these forums. Not sure if many ship to Australia, or if many are in my price range.

Suggestions/questions/thoughts?

[Cover_Drive]

First of all, welcome to CustomBatsForum Jake, hope you enjoy your stay here

PakPassion is a Pakistan Cricket forum where cricket equipment section was conceived after spending hours in convincing the so called "bosses/owners." Most of the users there just go and buy from Pakistan while walking into a cricket store, not many are aware how to differentiate a good and bad stick, so intent was to create awareness and educate the guys. Spent day and nights there, finally hung my boots and now its a history.

Anyways...

On this forum you will find ample of sponsors offering bats within your budget, they will be of exceptional quality (talking about ones which are UK made) and they are made by best of best, so you certainly can't go wrong with there quality. Asian versus English bats is an long ongoing debate, so I won't spend my time here listing which is better et cetra but from the resources we have here I would suggest you BlankBats, they offer made in UK bats which are superb. I have one and it is a remarkable stick.

There website is;

http://www.blankbats.co.uk/

There section on forum is;

http://184.154.5.91/cbforum/index.php?board=123.0

You can email them and I'm sure they'll sort you out, they often have deals going on so you can get a bargain too! So don't go by there website prices..worth an email.

Was in rush to write all that so bear with me, if you have any other question(s) feel free to ask and I'm sure someone (or if I come by) we'll answer it.

I hope you have wonderful stay at CustomBatsForum, it is a superb forum and the people make it even more remarkable. I live by this website

Cheers

[Chad]

Yeah, welcome to CBF! As you can see, we have lots of forum sponsors, some batmakers and some retailers. I would recommend getting one off them.

It really does depend what you are after, are you a person who likes thick edges, or just wants a bat to perform. There are a variety of things to consider, such as handle shape, profile shape etc etc. I would say that finding a profile shape or sweetspot position that you like would be the best first step, handle type, weight then make a decision. I reckon a few forum sponsors here could get you a bat that you like within your price range, including shipping.

SS are a good Asian make, and from what I have seen, their handles are on the thicker side compared to most Asian bats I have held, so if you are going for an Asian bat, SS would probably be your best choice. Failing that, CA also have a decent handle size. Mind you, I have found that CAs break quite often, not sure if it's just luck, but I repaired 3 CA bats this year. That's 3 out of roughly 6 bats, so if you are wanting a bat to last, that might not be a good idea!

Oh, and before I forget, there was a member here, Johng I think it is, who got 2 bats from a retailer in Melbourne for 75 GBP each... That's an absolute bargain, as they were the top of the range offering as well! I think the topic was recently made, and the bat looked superb. A very traditional shape, with very nice stickers.

I hope I was of some help!

Chad

[Vantage_Cricket]

Hi Jake,

Welcome to the forum,

I can certainly sort you out with a bat including the postage to aus for that price, recently my lithium model won the performance section of the cricket insight 2013 gear test. Give me a PM with what sort of bat you're after and we'll see what we can do.

Cheers,
Matt

[aussiejake]

Wow, thank you for the quick and detailed responses guys.

First of all, welcome to CustomBatsForum Jake, hope you enjoy your stay here

PakPassion is a Pakistan Cricket forum where cricket equipment section was conceived after spending hours in convincing the so called "bosses/owners." Most of the users there just go and buy from Pakistan while walking into a cricket store, not many are aware how to differentiate a good and bad stick, so intent was to create awareness and educate the guys. Spent day and nights there, finally hung my boots and now its a history.

Indeed, dare I say PP attracts a younger crowd and you can see it in the quality of the posts.

Asian versus English bats is an long ongoing debate, so I won't spend my time here listing which is better et cetra but from the resources we have here I would suggest you BlankBats, they offer made in UK bats which are superb. I have one and it is a remarkable stick.

There website is;

http://www.blankbats.co.uk/

There section on forum is;

http://184.154.5.91/cbforum/index.php?board=123.0

Just had a look around the Blank Bats sub-forum and their bats look pretty impressive. Definitely go onto my short-list.

Yeah, welcome to CBF! As you can see, we have lots of forum sponsors, some batmakers and some retailers. I would recommend getting one off them.

It really does depend what you are after, are you a person who likes thick edges, or just wants a bat to perform. There are a variety of things to consider, such as handle shape, profile shape etc etc. I would say that finding a profile shape or sweetspot position that you like would be the best first step, handle type, weight then make a decision. I reckon a few forum sponsors here could get you a bat that you like within your price range, including shipping.

My AS V3 has 33mm edges, so mid-range for thickness. I'm after performance for sure, along with some wow factor in looks (I do like straight grains, minimal imperfections).

Handle shape - is that circular or oval?

Can any one run me through what kind of shot-makers a low-mid-high sweet spot are for?

Hi Jake,

Welcome to the forum,

I can certainly sort you out with a bat including the postage to aus for that price, recently my lithium model won the performance section of the cricket insight 2013 gear test. Give me a PM with what sort of bat you're after and we'll see what we can do.

Cheers,
Matt

Another to add to my short-list, will continue researching and looking into brands. Thank you.

[Buzz]

My AS V3 has 33mm edges, so mid-range for thickness. I'm afte performance for sure, along with some wow factor in looks (I do like straight g

Handle shape - is that circular or oval?

Can any one run me through what kind of shot-makers a low-mid-high sweet spot are for?

easier to ask you what shots you like to play I would have thought.

also please would you take some profile pics and front pics of your current bat, so we can see what you are used to and where on the bat you ususally hit the ball.

[aussiejake]

easier to ask you what shots you like to play I would have thought.

also please would you take some profile pics and front pics of your current bat, so we can see what you are used to and where on the bat you ususally hit the ball.

Drives and pull shots are the main weapons. Got a very limited cut stroke (slowly working on it). I can be quite a powerful hitter too, so cow corner gets a workout in the shorter forms of the game

Playing on synthetic pitches, so quite true bounce.

Photos of my current bat, which isn't the AS V3, it's the AS G200

http://imgur.com/a/rzbPx

Current short list: Blank Bats, Vantage Cricket, Red Ink Cricket.

[smokem]

Welcome to the forum mate!

If you play on synthetic pitches and play mostly on the back foot, look for something where the middle of the bat is a little higher on the profile (eg mid-middle or high-middle), as this would place the sweetspot near where you are most likely to make contact. The other advantage with a higher middle is that the pickup will feel significantly lighter than a bat with a low middle of the same weight. Generally, most stock Asian bats (especially SS) tend to have low middles to suit front foot play on low bouncing pitches.

Most of the suggestions given already are very sound. Since you are in Australia, if you buy from the UK you may find some retailers that are registered for VAT exemption can deduct VAT (~20%) from their sale price. Good luck with your search!

[tugga]

Wow, look at the grains on that thing, that is super.

[ajmw89]

Drives and pull shots are the main weapons. Got a very limited cut stroke (slowly working on it). I can be quite a powerful hitter too, so cow corner gets a workout in the shorter forms of the game

Playing on synthetic pitches, so quite true bounce.

Photos of my current bat, which isn't the AS V3, it's the AS G200

http://imgur.com/a/rzbPx

Current short list: Blank Bats, Vantage Cricket, Red Ink Cricket.

You won't be disappointed if you go with Vantage.  Top quality product at a great price!

[aussiejake]

Welcome to the forum mate!

If you play on synthetic pitches and play mostly on the back foot, look for something where the middle of the bat is a little higher on the profile (eg mid-middle or high-middle), as this would place the sweetspot near where you are most likely to make contact. The other advantage with a higher middle is that the pickup will feel significantly lighter than a bat with a low middle of the same weight. Generally, most stock Asian bats (especially SS) tend to have low middles to suit front foot play on low bouncing pitches.

Most of the suggestions given already are very sound. Since you are in Australia, if you buy from the UK you may find some retailers that are registered for VAT exemption can deduct VAT (~20%) from their sale price. Good luck with your search!

Where does the middle sit on my AS, would you say? I think a mid-middle will be right for me, a nice combination of capitalising on the full drives and utilising the bouncy nature of synthetic pitches for horizontal shots.

Good point with the VAT reduction, I'll be sure to ask the makers if they can apply that deduction.

You won't be disappointed if you go with Vantage.  Top quality product at a great price!

Vantage and Blank Bats seem to both be well supported brands/makers. When I nail down my short list and the features of the bat I'd like, I think it will come down to price and more importantly, the actual stick they can offer me.

[Chad]

I would say your current bat is a mid-low sweetspot. I think the Lithium is a mid placed sweetspot, so that would be a good shout.

[ajmw89]

I would say your current bat is a mid-low sweetspot. I think the Lithium is a mid placed sweetspot, so that would be a good shout.

Think Matt could probably get it made with the middle lower if needed.

[Chad]

Think Matt could probably get it made with the middle lower if needed.

But he did say that he wanted a mid placed sweetspot, as he likes to drive and pull, on synthetic pitches, so the normal Lithium shape would do fine right?

[ajmw89]

But he did say that he wanted a mid placed sweetspot, as he likes to drive and pull, on synthetic pitches, so the normal Lithium shape would do fine right?

Should do!  They are absolute boomsticks tbh