Without starting an age old debate again, we're assuming bigger is better?
Plus this was my original point. It's not possible to always have what the pro's have. Or at least not as often without compromising the quality and longevity of the product. The very nature of willow dictates that its impossible for all clefts to make gauge busters. Unless they're secondary/over dried, narrowed etc etc to save eventual scale weight.
The issue here is that many want light/low density willow, so premiums are charged as demand outstrips supply. However, every bat which fills the gauge is then seen as low density, whether it's narrow, dried, ultra skinny handles etc. So people are charging more for them. You've got to question if people are being fleeced, if it's sustainable and if it's actually right in lots of ways imo.
Judging on various brands, mostly Indian, marketing rhetoric I think its safe to assume that large swathes of the global market believe bigger is better yes.
Whether it is or not in terms of performance is one for the scientists. Its certainly of little interest to me if other factors are compromised.
I think its also safe to assume that most of this global audience has no clue about overdried willow, harrow widths etc. And much less interest in longevity than previous generations where in some cases a bat would last a decade or more.
Its certainly not sustainable but not sure what can really be done. I guess its all driven by demand of a much bigger portion of the market than CBF.
I suppose if Wrights really wanted to they could have an impact against this trend but its not really in their interests is it.