Performance wise i can't argue with you. They don't always last very long (based on the number of repairs i do on them every year) but perform well before they explode into a cloud of sawdust.
My main match bat is over 3 years old and sees regular action. Knock on wood, it is still going strong. It is a natural product and I don't expect it to last a lifetime. Having said that I have some other big name bats that I will never use, again, because they just don't perform. I don't have time to knock them or wait a year for them to open up.
If only they could fit handles properly and actually make bats of full size. Currently we have 7 CA bats in the shop mostly for knocking in, 2 for 'rehandles' even though they were brand new in the plastic when they were handed to me, usual suspects to blame here: polyfilla, poor quality/missing rubber springs, one handle with 5 springs for some bizarre reason, bent/twisted handles etc etc.
Fair comment. I have not seen any handle issues with any of mine. I have 3, 1 heavily used and 2 new. Lot of my buddies have bought CAs and have not complained about the handles.
All have the fully knocked sticker but are as soft as butter,
I don't see this as a problem. I have bats that are pressed like table tops and they look lovely sitting in my closet. I mallet mine till I am satisfied. Again, I have also seen some hard pressed CAs.
none are the weight the sticker on the shoulder says they are.
That's debatable. Could be naked weight or just change in climate. My first two lavers came in at 2 ounce heavier. I have other custom bats that have been over an ounce off in weight despite clear, explicit weight specifications. What should I do about that?
They are all smaller in overall size than a SH bat, and all are 105mm or narrower in the blade.
This would definitely be a problem for a club cricketer.
Seriously, this criticism should be shared with CA by the dealers to fix the issue. What I am seeing now in the market is that smaller blade bats are popular, H4L Warbird, Newbery Uzi/Blitz (?). Perhaps, standard SH bats are not for everyone? Size disparity is a valid point and CA should address it.
Ok, I get it, it is not a "perfect" product but as long as the bat performs, why do I care about others things? Unfortunately, bat makers and enthusiasts on this forum are over looking the realities of the club cricket market, especially in the US. An average club cricketer is a married male with 1.5 kids who just wants to play cricket on the weekend. They don't have a lot of time to knock bats or go to nets. They want bat performance now (or yesterday) and fast; and, is willing to overlook details that would bother the purists. And, I suspect, that is why CA is so popular.
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Topic: CA players edition from Lahore? where to buy? (Read 10458 times)