As you may have seen from the WIYK video competition - I do have an extraordinary new wand.
And I am very justified in using the words "extraordinary new wand".
Background story...
I phoned Mike up around Easter outlining my need (really? - more like desire...) for a new bat, an appropriately large (very reasonable?!) sum of cash changed hands and Mike said he would bring me something the next time we met up - which worked for me. Unfortunately we didn't get so have our net due for ages (all my fault) so I asked Mike to post the bat to me in time for my game at the weekend.
What I wasn't expecting was what arrived
Mike said he would choose me an awesome performing bat and insisted that I should trust him to find me something I would love.
Now typically I would be relatively prescriptive on shape/style of bat - preferably something either relatively traditional or a lovely Pakistani shaped bat - usually the most important things for me are having the right handle and in a 2-10-211 weight range - but I have seen (and sampled) some of the more different shapes Blank Bats have trialled with Mike when we have netted - so I was persuaded to go with the flow.
What I wasn't expecting was this
huge grade 2 (or 3 or Butterfly - who really knows...)
custom XL club shaped weapon.
This beast is all about performance - beauty here is in the eye of the beholder, it picks up well nicely on weight - but boy does it go.
It has been a while since I walked out to bat wielding something that really gave me confidence in the willow I was holding. The SAF Genus I had scored me loads of runs but was always just too heavy and my other bat had the middle too high - which I thought based on my netting was where I needed it - but it appears where I hit the ball in the nets doesn't resemble where I hit the ball in the middle.
This bat however felt good as I faced my first ball (an ungainly non-foot moving prod at a brisk ish medium paced plodder). The second ball screamed to the boundary through the off side. Confidence was back - and continued to flow until I was out LBW to one that kept a little low (shot along the floor - as I was shaping to launch it into Dorking).
Two things also to say
1. there has been a load of debate around concaving and performance - with this - I have large edges and massive amounts of wood in the hitting area - which does inspire confidence
2. yes it has nine straitish grains - but performance can definitely come from the less pretty bats
As I mention in the video's this is an extra ordinary club. Genuinely good enough for a pro. Genuinely wasted on me - but boy will I enjoy it...
Everyone loves a little video review!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQWb6Hdrk9oHere are a few pictures of the Incredible Hulk Club...
With the special super large coin on the edge...
And on the scales
and one after use...
yes this bat is
meets