If that’s the case why aren’t bats a uniform size all the way down the blade like a paddle, or the profile reversed with all the weight at the top to make them pickup lighter?
I agree that pressing has a big part to play but certainly not sure the shape has a totally negligible effect on performance at all.
Because at some stage you need to weigh up longevity, along with the diminishing returns on pick up.
Bats used to be a fairly uniform shape, and now are actually trending back towards that, think “pro” shapes or the Newbery tour.
Why did sachin use super low “middled” bats when playing in Australia?
Because the bats still performed from 2 inches above the toe, to an inch below the stickers, and he liked the feel of the bat with the weight down low.
Why did Adam Gilchrist use a very low middled bat despite playing the majority of his cricket (excluding internationals) in Australia against arguably some of the best and quickest seam bowlers in the world in Lee, McGrath, Tait etc.
Because the shape of the bat isn’t really relevant to performance.
It’s the same reason the GN scoop performs nicely - otherwise every scoop would be pony, which just isn’t the case.