Topic: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years] (Read 4682 times)

Upswing · « **on:** March 11, 2016, 10:45:29 AM »

Hey guys,

Due to injury, I haven't played cricket in approx 8 years. I'm finally going back into it, and a bat is a big part of the equation. If you guys can help, then I will point to the sky and say a silent thank you to you when I score my first run in almost a decade.

I don't particularly care about the brand. My only criteria are:

- Budget around �120
- Don't want a big bow, and I don't want to feel like it has weight towards the toe (I'm really really wristy, which means that a bat with the weight towards the toe makes batting tough for me)
- Power doesn't really concern me. Getting bat to ball comfortably is the only thing I'd like within those confines.
- Don't care about big edge, grade 1 etc. In fact, smaller looking bats even better.

I played with a 2.7 Gray Nicholls Predator once, which was as perfect a bat for me that I ever came across. If you can recommend anything that feels similar (again, brand not important to me at all) I would be most grateful.

Thanks!

Northern monkey · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2016, 11:49:01 AM »

Pop into a retailer listed on here,it's always nice to try a bat for pick up etc
They all have hand picked stunners well within your budget and will be more than happy to help

Mel Jessop · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2016, 11:59:44 AM »

Definitely pop into one of the retailers on here, all will have bats in your price range.

If you could go alittle more for �135 from @Vitas Cricket, you could get a H4L Devil, which I would recommend at around your price point..

edge · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2016, 12:02:53 PM »

Quote from: Mel Jessop on March 11, 2016, 11:59:44 AM

Definitely poo into one of the retailers on here

Not sure I'd advise that, they're a helpful bunch but people have their limits!

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2016, 12:05:37 PM »

Quote from: Mel Jessop on March 11, 2016, 11:59:44 AM

Definitely poo into one of the retailers on here, all will have bats in your price range.

If you could go alittle more for �135 from @Vitas Cricket, you could get a H4L Devil, which I would recommend at around your price point..

All poos welcome, we have a very efficient toilet!

A devil is a good bat for sure, not sure i've ever seen one at 2'7 though, they generally start at 2'10.

Focus Performance at 2'7 for �135 with free delivery. Small profile and no bow!

Kookaburra Ignite 200 at 2'5 (yes 2 lb 5 oz!) on the left, the other two are 2'6 for �105 with free delivery, full profile and very little bow.

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2016, 12:38:39 PM »

Have you considered an handmade bat to your own spec I am sure one of our Sponsers Red ink cricket could make you somthing for your money.

Upswing · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:44:23 PM »

Thank you for your advice, Northern, Mel and Edge. I most definitely will try to get to a shop. On reflection, it makes sense.

Vitas, this looks very tempting and thanks for uploading those bats. You're based in Peterborough right? I may be visiting Peterborough within the next week or so, so will be sure to come in.

PS with custom bats, I'm guessing a 120 budget won't be nearly enough, right? Also, any good shops within the Telford/Birmingham area that can be visited?

Upswing · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:52:14 PM »

Quote from: Seniorplayer on March 11, 2016, 12:38:39 PM

Have you considered an handmade bat to your own spec I am sure one of our Sponsers Red ink cricket could make you somthing for your money.

Completely missed this. Thanks! I'll give them a call and see if it is possible to do something.

Vitas Cricket · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:57:50 PM »

Quote from: Upswing on March 11, 2016, 02:44:23 PM

Thank you for your advice, Northern, Mel and Edge. I most definitely will try to get to a shop. On reflection, it makes sense.

Vitas, this looks very tempting and thanks for uploading those bats. You're based in Peterborough right? I may be visiting Peterborough within the next week or so, so will be sure to come in.

PS with custom bats, I'm guessing a 120 budget won't be nearly enough, right? Also, any good shops within the Telford/Birmingham area that can be visited?

Yes Peterborough, open 11-7 in the week and 9-3 on Saturdays.

For a bespoke bat there are far fewer options at that sort of price, there are some, but it is more limited. And with the greatest of respect to yourself and all batmakers both on the forum and away from it, many of whom i have a good relationship with. They may well produce a bat that is 100% bang on when it comes to matching the specs you asked for, but if you don't really know what you want/need when your are talking to the batmaker, the bat may end up all wrong for you. This sort of scenario is possibly more likely to arise because you've been out of the game for a while?
In a shop environment there will be a vast choice and there may not be a bat that is 100% right, but hopefully we can find one for you that is 99%

alba caerulea · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:10:35 PM »

Within your budget I'd have to recommend a 'net' bat from Blank Bats.

Made by the best and for the price I dont think theres anything else that can touch them

Seniorplayer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:23:07 PM »

Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model

edge · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:48:02 PM »

Quote from: Seniorplayer on March 11, 2016, 03:23:07 PM

Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model

This is all true and the custom makers on here are excellent, but getting one custom made to your requirements is tricky if you're not sure what your requirements are! Jake is quite right that if you're not sure what you need, getting in a good shop and getting some bats in your hands has to be the way forward. Then the wonderful world of bespoke bats can come later.

Upswing · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2016, 04:46:46 PM »

Thanks for your help everyone. Feel/pickup is essentially the only factor i'm interested in (barring it isn't one of those bats they used to give us in school), so I'll take the prevailing advice and go pick up some bats in a shop.

I was just being a little bit impatient, given that nets have begun and I need to show my face soon. Turning up without a bat simply won't do.

ps have also put some questions out to the custom bat makers to see what options are available.

Thanks!

Northern monkey · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2016, 05:34:29 PM »

There's Uzi sports at Birmingham
Asad has some lovely bats up there

And those focus bats at vitas look crackers for the money
Both shops have a net there too

I'd hang fire with the bespoke, go an try a load at a shop first

InternalTraining · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2016, 11:09:27 PM »

Quote from: Seniorplayer on March 11, 2016, 03:23:07 PM

Should a batmaker not get your bat exactly right for you which isn't that often the ones I have dealt with are always willing to do what's necessary till the customer gets the bat they want and in any case theres a scool of thought that there's no substitute to having an handmade bat to your own requirements pickup feel handle for exsample than some generic mass produced of the shelf model

This works if the custom bat maker is in the same country as the client/buyer. If you are in a different country, then sending a bat back (because specs were not not) is a hassle. I have had many custom made bats sent to the US and only a handful of them met all the specs. Most of them are overpriced net bats at this point. My match bats are all off-the-shelf brands and they are performing better than custom made bats.

As long as you know the weight, location of the sweet spot, and width of the handle, you can pick a nice bat from a retailer. Prices aren't bad either. Custom made bats are over rated.

Author Topic: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years] (Read 4682 times)

Upswing

Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Northern monkey

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Mel Jessop

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

edge

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Vitas Cricket

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Seniorplayer

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Upswing

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Upswing

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Vitas Cricket

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

alba caerulea

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Seniorplayer

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

edge

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Upswing

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

Northern monkey

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]

InternalTraining

Re: Desperately need advice on bat [restarting cricket after 8 years]