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[lovers99]

We did get a look at one of Akmal's bat, cant really remember anything different about it from a normal Flare to be honest.

[jonpinson]

A friend once told me unicorns exist, doesn't mean it is true.

Be very careful with these people who 'are friendly with pros' and 'get told things that could damage the sport' unless they are willing to back up their claims with evidence. We've had an example in this thread, someone giving it the big 'I know something you don't know' so they feel popular, but when asked to offer any kind of evidence to back up their claims, they couldn't do that for reasons x, y and z.

[Kulli]

A guys I used to play club cricket with had a laminated bat that was given to him by a South African first class player. Doesn't mean he ever used it in a first class match but he certainly owned one and knew what one was.

If anyone really wants to know who the player was then I can pm them as it's no huge secret.

[tim2000s]

A guys I used to play club cricket with had a laminated bat that was given to him by a South African first class player. Doesn't mean he ever used it in a first class match but he certainly owned one and knew what one was.

If anyone really wants to know who the player was then I can pm them as it's no huge secret.

Yes please.

[Johng]

So Jon what you are saying that laminates don't exist in the pro ranks?? Of course they do and Shane Watson bats at 2.10oz and do you really think the bat he used in the ODI in question can be that big at that weight.

You are going on like this is another betting scandal, the ICC will do nothing about it as they have even created a loop hole in the laws so any player that is caught using one can simply say that their bat had been repaired and was returned to them in that state.

Storm in a tea cup mate, I will not name names as it is none of your business who these players are but I will say is the next time you see Afridi bat just take a closer look at the stick he uses.

[Tom]

I really don't believe it's as widespread as you're making out, John.

1. The ICC have no say in what makes a bat legal.
2. A laminate for the pro isn't designed to make the bat look bigger, it's designed for performance.

[Kulli]

So Jon what you are saying that laminates don't exist in the pro ranks?? Of course they do and Shane Watson bats at 2.10oz and do you really think the bat he used in the ODI in question can be that big at that weight.

You are going on like this is another betting scandal, the ICC will do nothing about it as they have even created a loop hole in the laws so any player that is caught using one can simply say that their bat had been repaired and was returned to them in that state.

Storm in a tea cup mate, I will not name names as it is none of your business who these players are but I will say is the next time you see Afridi bat just take a closer look at the stick he uses.

I may well be wrong here (it's been known!), but from what I've read on here it seems that while you can use lamination to make a bat much bigger for the weight there is no real benifit to doing so, and that these mystical 'performance laminates' are normal looking sizes.

I've seen some giant bats that weight 2'9/2'20 or something similar and certainly weren't laminated.


I don't doubt that a few pro players do use one in order to try and gain an advantage but I do have my doubts about any vastly improved performance.

[tim2000s]

I may well be wrong here (it's been known!), but from what I've read on here it seems that while you can use lamination to make a bat much bigger for the weight there is no real benifit to doing so, and that these mystical 'performance laminates' are normal looking sizes.

I've seen some giant bats that weight 2'9/2'20 or something similar and certainly weren't laminated.


I don't doubt that a few pro players do use one in order to try and gain an advantage but I do have my doubts about any vastly improved performance.

When I get mine back from Newbery, I'll be able to find out. It certainly doesn't look any larger than a normal bat for its weight...

[uknsaunders]

if he uses a standard flare at 2'10, don't see a huge issue with him moving up to a flare+ at 2'12 for ODI's. It will have bigger edges for sure.

Big issue seems to be that someone who is an un-named expert, has said Watson uses a laminate.

On the issue of laminates, either the ICC bans all illegal bats properly ie. carbon handles still knocking around in club cricket, laminates, repairs OR it doesn't.

Creating loop holes only makes things worse.

eg. I'm also right in thinking anyone can use a laminate, even if it started off as a laminate as all they have to say is the face has been repaired?

[jonpinson]

So Jon what you are saying that laminates don't exist in the pro ranks?? Of course they do and Shane Watson bats at 2.10oz and do you really think the bat he used in the ODI in question can be that big at that weight.

You are going on like this is another betting scandal, the ICC will do nothing about it as they have even created a loop hole in the laws so any player that is caught using one can simply say that their bat had been repaired and was returned to them in that state.

Storm in a tea cup mate, I will not name names as it is none of your business who these players are but I will say is the next time you see Afridi bat just take a closer look at the stick he uses.

No, I'm saying I don't know and I can't prove it so I'm not going to claim otherwise.

Whether or not any serious action would be taken I don't know, but surely if someone loves the game their have a moral responsibility to at least report what they know? Throughout life I've never understood people who half tell a secret. People who make a claim but when questioned, are unwilling to say any more. For instance 'I know who really shot JFK, but I can't tell you'...so what's the point of saying you know? It is either a secret in which case nothing should be said, or it is not in which case everything can be said. Never understood this inbetween attitude.

You know the reason Shane Watson's bat hits the ball further than yours or mine? Because he's a lot better than us, thats why. No magic willow, no laminate, no rubber trampoline sheet imbedded in the bat, no wonder handle. Just because he is very good.

[tim2000s]

if he uses a standard flare at 2'10, don't see a huge issue with him moving up to a flare+ at 2'12 for ODI's. It will have bigger edges for sure.

Big issue seems to be that someone who is an un-named expert, has said Watson uses a laminate.

On the issue of laminates, either the ICC bans all illegal bats properly ie. carbon handles still knocking around in club cricket, laminates, repairs OR it doesn't. Creating loop holes only makes things worse.

Option 1: They could have colluded with batmakers and made it illegal to add anything to the bat, even in repairing it. Bats wouldn't last as long and you'd have to buy a new one when you broke the old one. More money for the batmakers.

Option 2: "Anything goes" and as long as the blade was substantially willow, especially on the striking face, innovation would be allowed to enhance the performance of the bats and test matches and T20 alike would be 6 fests, everyone would complain about pro cricketers hitting the ball too far, like golf, and those amateur players amongst us would revel in the new technology that made us look like much better batsmen.

Ok, maybe that last bit is wishful thinking....

[Johng]

Sorry MCC laws which the ICC police??

[PM7]

Dont look at edge size and assume that due to the size they are laminated bats. There are many CA/Malik bats about that are huge for the weight as they are probably overdried and are made from light clefts. These are bigger than many laminates I have seen and are simply one piece of wood.

Pro bats that are laminated would have a thin strip of veneer added to the front and are not easy to spot once the edge tape has been added.These are solely for performance and do make a significant difference. No pro would be just looking for a big lump of laminated wood as this would attract unnecessary attention from other players, umpires and of course the eagle eyed forum members !

[jonpinson]

Oh and JohnG, a bit of friendly advice that can apply to life outside the forum as well as within, if you have information that is none of our business, don't talk about it with us and get defensive when we show interest

[jonpinson]

Dont look at edge size and assume that due to the size they are laminated bats. There are many CA/Malik bats about that are huge for the weight as they are probably overdried and are made from light clefts. These are bigger than many laminates I have seen and are simply one piece of wood.

Pro bats that are laminated would have a thin strip of veneer added to the front and are not easy to spot once the edge tape has been added.These are solely for performance and do make a significant difference. No pro would be just looking for a big lump of laminated wood as this would attract unnecessary attention from other players, umpires and of course the eagle eyed forum members !

Indeed, look at the Asian Lekkas that were recently for sale. 2'9 and 40mm edges. I'm sorry that isn't art in batmaking, it is over drying. Sure they look imposing but it comes at a cost.