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[keysersolze]

Hi Guys,
Sorry to bore you but i did start a topic a while back on what bat Watson actually uses when playing after seeing him hit those monster boundaraies in the ODI a liitle while back. So I had lunch with GM today and i asked them what bat Watson used and their guys told me he used a flare plus in the ODI matches generally and depending on conditions or moods he switches between a normal flare and plus. Riddle solved and even if i get my hands on a flare plus i still wont play like him lol!!! Good to know he does actually use the Flare and not just endorse it.

[johan95]

Yeah Perry, they made the Flare range as it was Watson's own profile he took to them I believe, so there is no reason for him not to endorse it as it is his preferred shape!

[19reading87]

But which grade?

[johan95]

Of Flare? Does Watson use? Not sure what you mean by your question mate, but I would hazard a guess that there is a special batch of willow he gets made up for him, I don't think GM make his bats in England, that's a mystery, anyone know the answer as to who makes his bats???

[19reading87]

Sorry I meant like 808 or higher as there was rumours he used an 808...

[johan95]

Oh really? I do actually recall something like that being said, I doubt it though...though he obviously can use an 808 much better than us, to its maximum potential. Though I am sure he would have a lower density cleft made up for him...

[keysersolze]

Well i had lunch with some GM lads today and they said he uses a standard Flare or Flare + depending on his mood/requirement on the day or whether its a ODI or test match.  They have a section of special willow which is high density light weight for pro bats and that is used for pro bats. but a lot of pros pop in and just pick up as many bats as they can to see which one feels right and the stickers of the bats they endorse are put on. Nice lads the GM boys.

[peplow]

gm guys are great!

in terms of looks his bats could be 808, remember them saying if a bat doesnt make the cut looks wise to be an le but is a crackerjack of a bat then they'll "give it to a pro" haha

[Colesy]

I heard somewhere that he uses 808s as 'they feel different'

[roco]

There bats are purely performance based sam is right there were separate pallets of grades clefts one for le one for original etc etc plus one for pro's and the grader said some looked dog ugly and would be a low grade normally but would absolutely fly so out aside for the pro's as most don't care how they look as long as they fly

[Cover_Drive]

His bat;

[awp]

great pics, thanks!  what ever it is, seems to work!  I remember years ago hoping SW would live up to his ability after a horrific run of injuries, if he wasnt having back surgery he was having hamstring tendons reattached etc, I think they even pumped his hamstring full of cows blood or something at one stage........glad he's fit.

I'm increasingly becoming impressed with GM, IMO they have market leading technology, the CAD system obviously would give them ultimate shaping control. 

[langer17]

I assume that you got those pictures from gettyimages.com

[Cover_Drive]

No, Cricinfo. Gettyimages pictures are always watermarked.

[langer17]

I hate the watermark. I thought that you might have a gettyimages account, then the watermark wouldn't be there.