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[potzy248]

Looking at the SS LE Full back review plus the introduction of the new Bubble, coupled with the fact that most international players have very little concaving, can we assume that bats are going back to the old ways?
I have seen Kane Williamson's bats and they have absolutely no concaving whatsoever. GN also say on their "Legend" description that they are made to the latest players shapes, which have no concaving either. Looking at George Bailey's bats and David Warners they both seem to have minimal, to no concaving.

So, why do companies continue to concave the life out of bats when most international players bats are anything but? Is it because international players clefts are so much better and lighter that there is no need for concaving, as their bats will still be huge and light?

[smilley792]

it is because of the later point.


plus big edges sell bats to the uneducated folk not on cbf.

[ProCricketer1982]

Normal people really do think edge size means it's a 'big' bat. The amount of people you see and hear talk about edge size  and barely of ever speak of concaving. We on here have to remember that our interest in cricket and kit is well above most.

Edge size = good bat in normal circles

[Steveo1000]

I think you have answered your own question to be honest.
There is a demand for big edge bats and the only way to produce big edge bats from normal clefts is to scoop the hell out of the back of them.
So as long as there is demand for big edges (I for one am a fan as I like the look) there will be these modern designs.
There will always be a place though for a well made, great performing non concaved design I'm sure.

[potzy248]

It just seems pointless Warner putting his name on a bat that looks nothing like his own. Well i'm sure he gets a few coins for it.

You are right though. I have a non concaved bat and all my team mates say its a toothpick even though its huge.

[Steveo1000]

it is because of the later point.


plus big edges sell bats to the uneducated folk not on cbf.

I'm on here and pretty well educated. I like the look of big edges from an aesthetic point of view and as a result feel more confident.
I know edge size doesn't affect performance, but 90% of performance in sport is mental at any level. So if you feel good you play good.
Perhaps think before making sweeping statements about people.

[Chad]

Funny thing this, we say 'normal people' all go for big edges, but I've actually found that not that many people always go for a thick edge. Yes, they want a bit of meat in the edge, but I have a couple of friends who are decent batsmen, and when I was looking for a bat for one of them, he said he didn't actually really like a thick edge, just wanted something with a good middle. The other guy is the same, just looks for one with the middle where he likes it. Both are more fussy about their handles and pick ups, and neither are part of this forum, at least I don't think they are. Also, there was this other guy, who likes concaving, he just said it's because bats look weird to him without concaving. Didn't really say anything about edges either...

On the other hand, I had a kid asking me to look for a bat for him, with a thick edge, because he felt his GN didn't have enough power in it. I was tempted to tell him to time the ball better and to stop using the toe and edge, but we have to be nice.

[Gingerbusiness]

It just seems pointless Warner putting his name on a bat that looks nothing like his own. Well i'm sure he gets a few coins for it.

You are right though. I have a non concaved bat and all my team mates say its a toothpick even though its huge.

Best bat I have ever owned, and I have owned A LOT, is the Newbery Mjolnir (One of the ones before the SPS and Players). You either had the TK top grade or a 5* bat.

It was out of this world. Never found anything like it. Scored my 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th top scores with it and I am someone who is not a touch player, regularly find the boundry - 22mm edges.

Slightly annoyed I got my top score with a bat I borrowed off a mate as snapped my match bat in the previous days game. Some Adidas Incurza thing... Yuck.

[smilley792]

I'm on here and pretty well educated. I like the look of big edges from an aesthetic point of view and as a result feel more confident.
I know edge size doesn't affect performance, but 90% of performance in sport is mental at any level. So if you feel good you play good.
Perhaps think before making sweeping statements about people.

your on cbf so not aimed at you.

plus there is always exceptions to all trends. but the fact of the matter is, the majority of crickets out there want big bats, and see big edges a a big bat its gives them confidence. and that matters. and that's why the sell.

never under estimate a placebo effect, even though there is proof out there from people much smarter than me that shows concaving narrows the sweat spot on a bat.


fyi, i have quite a few bats with conceiving myself and have no issue with it.

[Steveo1000]

your on cbf so not aimed at you.

plus there is always exceptions to all trends. but the fact of the matter is, the majority of crickets out there want big bats, and see big edges a a big bat its gives them confidence. and that matters. and that's why the sell.

never under estimate a placebo effect, even though there is proof out there from people much smarter than me that shows concaving narrows the sweat spot on a bat.


fyi, i have quite a few bats with conceiving myself and have no issue with it.

Fair enough. I just thnk sometimes we risk becoming cricket snobs because we think we know what we know.

[Gingerbusiness]

Fair enough. I just thnk sometimes we risk becoming cricket snobs because we think we know what we know.

I think it is a good thing in life to be educated enough to understand the variables within ones life...  - Cricket bats is one. Makes a change from listening to David Starkey talking s*** on Question Time!

With bats, like many, many things - A bad workman blames his tools.

I'm not sure that Don Bradman, Viv Richards, Jack Hobbs etc.. came back in many times after batting and said "If only I had a low density, CNC, carbon handled, grade 1+ with 40mm offset edges..."

[smilley792]

im just watching the nz test. from which kane Williamson bat was mentioned.


sat watching tom latham. yes.he's on debut. but he's still in a test. he has a koolaburra ricochet which is very concaved indeed. yet that pull certainly went to the boundary well.

do we read much into stuff? at the end of the day, a gn scoop.has to he classed as concaving and least.in the.hands of bc lara certainly had a middle.

[tim2000s]

As has been said, the real difference is not the bat, but the batsman...

[toenails97]

^ yes Tom Lathams bats are very concaved but are very very big for around the 2'6/2'7 mark, pick up well...when he was up in the North East he was sporting the bubble kit however got sent out other ranges also

[Gingerbusiness]

I personally blame golf brands and the evolution of drivers.

It has influenced cricket