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[thecord]

I haven't posted much of late for a variety of reasons, largely due to being massively busy with work, moving house and playing / admin at my club. Seeing the thread earlier today though about the lack of decent debate on here recently I felt the need to get involved again...

For the whole of last season I used a bat I picked up from Gary at Redback. It's a great looking bat (IMHO), looks and feels big for the weight and the performance of it is really good after a bit of playing in. I let one of my team mates borrow it last year and he hit his first 50 of the season with it too. Details of the bat in question can be found in my original topic on it here http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=13167.0

I had a fairly poor year last year with an average of just over 20. Playing on uncovered pitches during the wettest summer in memory didn't suit my mainly back foot game and I didn't get any kind of form due to all the cancellations/abandonments. I didn't feel as though I wasn't getting on with the bat though so I started this season with it again. My first couple of knocks were decent, 36* and 55 but then I went on a horrible slump, managing only 20 in 4 innings. In a truly classic CBF move the first option was (obviously) to try a change of willow! I switched to a cheap asian made blank that I bought from Uzi Sports as my H4L is not really ready for match play yet. The blank is roughly the same weight as the Redback but more concaved and a slightly higher middle. It looks dog ugly, has a horrendous grip on it, a cheap hammer edge type scuff sheet, a round handle which has never normally been to my liking and it is an insult to L&W that I have fitted a set of their stickers to it 

Anyway, to the point...since making the switch I have been averaging over 30 which is pretty good considering my average of 5 from the games before switching! Whilst I am making runs with this bat I don't want to change but part of me feels I am wasting that lovely Redback. I can't decide whether the shape or weight of the Redback just isn't quite right for me or whether I am overthinking things and the pick up in form is purely coincidental.

Has anyone else ever found a dirty dog of a cheap bat like this that just seems to work for you? I feel as though I am almost betraying my preference for the smaller more niche brands at the moment but the scorebook does not lie!

[gnook]

I reckon its a psychological thing mate. Its a lot like driving a Ferrari cautiously in the mean streets so as not to scratch it, as opposed to driving/parking a Ford Pinto with a dont-give-a-damn attitude. Maybe, since you don't care much about wrecking the Asian made bat, you are batting freely. Although, that would defeat the purpose of the Redback being a cricket bat. Personally, I cant imagine brandishing a Laver Signature in our leagues. Its better suited for the trophy cabinet IMHO.

Just my two cents...

[countycricketplayer]

my Woodstock weren't working at the start started to use my msr bats and I got runs but then they broke and have since gone back to the woodstocks

[Manormanic]

I find it surprising how often a run of bad knocks can be broken by a simple change of wand.  There is no rational reason why this should be the case, so it must be purely psychological - something about the positive impact of knowing that you have made a change?

[smilley792]

Started the year with my new b3, some decent innings including a 50, but hit a slump.

It was raining so chose to use my old gn bat, got 60 odd, follow by 40' and two more 50s.

Used the b3 and failed again 5! So went back to the gn and got 60, but broke then bat beyond repair.

Have to use the b3 now, some okay innings. But no fifties.




Bats give A Definately placebo effect, but as there different bats, handle shape, middle placing, profile, slight weight difference, there probably is a "suiting" issue going on(I believe the b3s middle is a too high for me)

Maybe the redback just doesn't suit your game or the pitches you play on! Borrow or buys decent bat to the same dimensions as the Asian one, and see if you improve more!

[MD2812]

I've got 5 ducks in a row for Saturday cricket. I've tried 3 bats

I've decided to use and stick with my Newbury GT now, it's lighter with great pickup.

In the 3s as well so fingers crossed I get runs, if I could only clear my head of a thousand thoughts whilst at the crease!

[thecord]

I find it surprising how often a run of bad knocks can be broken by a simple change of wand.  There is no rational reason why this should be the case, so it must be purely psychological - something about the positive impact of knowing that you have made a change?

Yes quite possibly, I was wondering whether knowing that I had a slightly different feeling bat in my hands also forced me to concentrate harder although I guess it could also be seen as offputting?

I don't feel as though I am batting any differently really and I certainly wasn't worried about keeping my other bat in a decent state.

Interesting suggestion to get a maker from off here to copy the cheap bat shape, may give that a try when it gives in