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[trypewriter]

2 lb 9 oz fully dressed.

[trypewriter]

What can I say? The bat has arrived and the pictures that Paul has already posted can't really be bettered, except that in person it is even more awesome. It's a shame that you can't photograph pick up though... lovely!

[trypewriter]

Having now used this bat a few times, in the nets and in games, I thought that I'd post an update. I had the bat knocked in by IJC as one of their last out of store bats to go through the process. I know that Paul (Aldred) rates knocking it in yourself as being the best way to get to know your bat, living in a flat made that a bit of a non-starter. Anyway, once fully knocked it I had several net sessions with it facing soft balls delivered by bowlers of varying pace and accuracy. What was noticeable was the pace at which the ball came off the blade, even from a static defensive position and to a large extent wherever on the blade it made contact. However, when I did find the sweet spot, that area where you don't feel any contact with the ball, it went off even faster. Now, I'm not suggesting that the sweet spot is small, because I've certainly found it more often than with other bats that I've tried, to the extent that I think I've been missing out. On the other hand, it's been a mixed blessing, which I'll explain shortly.
I've only played a handful of games, my first legitimate scoring shot being a 4 back past the bowler when I really didn't think that I'd hit the ball that hard. Run out for 6 going for a suicidal third (for me) as we were running for everything at that stage. A streaky 19 with a nastily sprained ankle might have been a few more if I could have run, but it included a few boundaries, again, which weren't really clobbered. One was signalled as a 6 but overruled by the fielder. I'd like to suggest that these were effortless good timing but I know the truth.
The mixed blessing was a casual flick to leg, second ball in another game, which carried to a fielder set well back who took the catch above his head. How did it travel that far?
Obviously the bat is far too good for someone of my ability, but it is an absolute delight to use. I'm not going to use cliches like gun and rocket, but there is no doubt in my mind that I'm getting very good value for my shots. For the fun I'm having, the bat is money well spent, and it perhaps explains why even less than average players will buy top grade bats.
I thank you for your attention.

[Aldred Cricket Bats]

Glad your getting on nicely together but HIT IT ON THE FLOOR MAN for goodness sake 

[FattusCattus]

Run out going for a third!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are you doing man??

[Aldred Cricket Bats]

One of the funniest things I've seen was Karl krikken taking a third at the oval to the long boundary, dean jones was on as runner for Colin wells at a crucial point of the game we were in trouble and they took the third and Chris Lewis picked the ball up and threw it like a rocket flat from a good 85 yard boundary, not these boundaries they have now that have been brought in by 10 yards all round not to worry Krikk made an immaculate dive to the crease a cloud of dust flew in the air and as the dust cleared Krikk was lying there 3 yards short of the crease and the keeper had the ball in his gloves and could even wait for what seemed like an eternity for Krikk to look up to see the bails removed. He walked off into a changing room that had cleared not to give him space to vent his anger but the fact that everyone was crying with laughter and just didn't think it would look too good to the batter returning. He sat in the changing rooms clearing grass out of his grill let alone his clothing Deano wasn't impressed.

[FattusCattus]

Ahhhh! Getting run out on the third is just as criminal at club level as it is at county level.


Last year one of my mates dropped a chance at cover, called himself a very loud and very rude name, picked up the ball and ran the non-striker out by a couple of yards.

Laugh? They had to pick me up off the floor!!!

[Aldred Cricket Bats]

You get some funny things happen don't you we were once playing a twos game against Somerset who had a strong side out including Caddick van-troost (however you spell it) and came to the final morning we were already 4 down overnight coach had a word do nothing silly take your time blah blah all the obvious stuff, the umpires keen to get on with it decided to start 7 mins early, by 11 o'clock we had lost 2 wickets both run out coach wasn't laughing but we were howling needless to say we were on our way back home early.

[jamferg]

Glad your getting on nicely together but HIT IT ON THE FLOOR MAN for goodness sake 

when your playing on a ground where you smack a straight drive ,sit back on your bat admiring it and it brakes to a halt 20 ft off the square... then you have no option but to go ariel! caught twice hooking of the middle of the edge in two weeks. . grind out singles is next weeks plan

[trypewriter]

Ahhhh! Getting run out on the third is just as criminal at club level as it is at county level.


Last year one of my mates dropped a chance at cover, called himself a very loud and very rude name, picked up the ball and ran the non-striker out by a couple of yards.

Laugh? They had to pick me up off the floor!!!

When there's only three balls left and it's the skipper who calls and he hasn't faced a ball yet you are somewhat obliged. It didn't help that we both arrived at the strikers end at the same time - he having completed his third, me turning for for the fruitless attempt! I've lost the yard of pace that categorised me as slow... 
Hit it on the floor? Ha ha, you can't tell I'm bottom hand dominated can you?