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[frankspop]

We're carrying out a bit of research on bat swingweight (pick-up) and one aspect is what effects are seen on player performance when changing bats between formats.  I have a few questions to see if there is some anecdotal evidence form the cognoscenti of this great forum.

1. Do you know of any pro's that change their bats between Test/4-day, Limited Overs, and T20?
I am reliably informed that the general rule, for those that are active across all formats, is to play with one style/profile of bat, but there are some who change. Who are they?
Logic (and I believe the coaches) dictates that you choose a bat that is weighted and picks-up to suit your playing style, and that you become a little more adventurous and aggressive as you reduce the overs.

2. Are club cricketers changing bats between formats because 1) they just like having more than one bat to play with, 2) they see some pros doing it, or 3) they genuinely believe they score more runs this way?
I would be interested to know of any who have tried the multiple bat approach, failed, and reverted back to the one bat.

If we get enough data, and we can draw some sensible conclusions, I'll share it with the Forum.  The research is connected with an MSc. project, so feedback may not come until the Autumn at the earliest.

Cheers
David

[Colesy]

I'm not sure about pros changing but personally as a club cricketer I change bats in a T/20 because I have a bat that will not get used in normal 40/45 over matches. It is heavier but the 'ping' is better. I don't necessarily believe it'll score me more runs but I still want to use the bat.

[Alvaro]

In a Wisden Cricketer a few months back, Suresh Raina talked about his approach to Twenty20. In it he said he used a heavier bat with more weight at the bottom. Also, in last year's IPL Tom pointed out that he used a Mongoose briefly, despite his sponsorship by Sanspareils.

[roco]

I don't switch due to format but have two different match bats and see which feels better that day

Off topic slightly but read that Brendan mcullum has his hands in different places for different formats low in tests but at the top for t20 to get more leverigde

[tim2000s]

And isn't there an interview with Shane Watson talking about using a heavier bat for limited overs matches?

[Buzz]

I use the same bat for the cricket I play (mid week all dayers/50over matches/Sunday matches and 2020 games) but my bat is relatively heavy. The fact is I play relatively aggressively so don't really change my style of play whatever the game - I would suggest my scoring rate doesn't vary much!.

Mark Ramprakash and Adam Holioake use/used heavier bats for 2020 games to help hit boundary's

[frankspop]

Off topic slightly but read that Brendan mcullum has his hands in different places for different formats low in tests but at the top for t20 to get more leverigde

Not so off topic as you think!  By moving his hands higher for T20 he is increasing the bat Moment of Inertia, since he has moved the reference point from which this would be calculated for his normal playing position.  He could be better off playing with a slightly heavier bat, with matched MOI to his higher hand position on regular bat, so that he can keep his hands in the same place, and therefore his body position and balance matched to his test/ODI style.

[roco]

True but I guess he knows what's best for him as he is the international destroyer

[mdl_1979]

Last season I did have a big beast of a Vantage that I used for a couple of T20s.  What I found was that I lost my shape when I played my shots.  For the final I went back to my normal Redback bat, and had much more success hitting over the top and timing the ball.

[tim2000s]

I've been trying out T20 style bats to see whether it makes that much difference. WHat I've noticed is that I tend to use them best when I play vaguely sensibly and use my normal game, instead of trying to batter everything over the top.

[roco]

I will see how the tt plays but feels like any other bat so will use it as such

[Byo]

Dont change bats as I am an agressive type of batsmen regardless of the format.  May only change bat if its a bit wet and dont want to ruin my main bat, so will use a back up.

[jonpinson]

I think for all the talk of having bats for certain situations, come the season I'm going to cherry pick the 3 or so favourites and rotate them through the season, regardless of situation or game type.

[jimba101]

I think for all the talk of having bats for certain situations, come the season I'm going to cherry pick the 3 or so favourites and rotate them through the season, regardless of situation or game type.

How many bats do you have at the moment jon?

[jonpinson]

How many bats do you have at the moment jon?

20 ish. Of those maybe 10 are in contention to be used regularly.