I've had a couple of bats supposedly destined for pros:
B&S Tendulkar shape from Uzi Sports, apparently meant for a Test Player
Helios Atlas, from the Newbery Pro Bin - Confusing one
Mongoose stickered TK Pro
And bats that are apparently the same as what pros would get:
Screaming Cat Series 1
L&W Reserve x 2
SS LE fuller profile
Bulldog
Are the above the best bats I've had? Yes, probably. Are pro bats worth the heavy price tag? Usually not. However, if you use them well, and they make you feel confident and happy with your bat, then they are worth it. (Most of the above were purchased at a good price though, so were worth it!) I do think that the service B3 offer for a Crown Bespoke bat is great though, and that the batmakers are entitled to charge a decent amount of money for their services.
I reckon that a good bat that you like the pick up of, you prepare properly, and use well will perform near the level of pro bats, and sometimes better. Of all the well known manufacturers, I find that exceptional bats from GM, Newbery and CA tend to be more common where I play. (GM and Newbery ones tend to be well used, while the CA tend to be relatively new)
I think the new craze now is to have a fuller profile with a decent edge and spine size. (Referred to as the pro shape) It's my preference too, and I find that SS can provide this at an affordable, so they are quickly becoming my favourite bat maker.
Hope this helps!
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Topic: International Quality Cricket Bat? (Read 6904 times)