Cricket Bats - Willow Grading

Gohar Siddiqi - Last Update / 04 April 2021

So why do certain cricket bats cost more than others? There are various factors that contribute to the cost and the most important one is the willow grading of the cricket bat. Here are some examples of Gunn & Moore bats which are made to different specifications to fit various budgets

Gunn & Moore offer bats in eight qualities. Each quality is developed around different grades of willow.


ORIGINAL L.E.
The very best unbleached naturally seasoned Grade 1 English Willow
Selected for grain structure and weight
Limited by willow availability
Bats individually tested to ensure 5 Star performance
Fitted with top quality treble spring multi-piece cane handle for outstanding feel, flex, and control
Handle oval led for natural bottom hand location, comfort, and control
GM NOW! And ToeTek™ finish fitted as standard
GM Helix™ Grip

ORIGINAL
Superior unbleached naturally seasoned Grade 1, English Willow
Straight grained with a hint of color and minor cosmetic blemishes
Fitted with top quality treble spring multi-piece cane handle for outstanding feel, flex, and control
Oval handles for natural bottom hand location, comfort, and control
GM Helix™ Grip

909 GM English Willow Grade Bats
Unbleached naturally seasoned Grade 1 English Willow
Predominantly straight grained with color on one edge and minor blemishes
Fitted with top quality treble spring multi-piece cane handle for outstanding feel, flex, and control
Oval handles for natural bottom hand location, comfort, and control
GM Helix™ Grip

808 GM English Willow Grade Bats
Seasoned unbleached Grade 2 English Willow
Minor blemishes with some color on one edge
Fitted with good quality treble spring multi-piece cane handle for outstanding feel, flex, and control
GM Helix™ Grip
GM NOW! and TOE-TEK™ finish fitted as standard

707 GM English Willow Grade Bats
Seasoned unbleached Grade 2 English Willow
Minor blemishes with some color on one edge
Fitted with good quality treble spring cane handle

GM Helix™ Grip
GM NOW! and TOE-TEK™ finish fitted as standard

606 GM English Willow Grade Bats
Naturally seasoned bleached Grade 3 English Willow
Minor blemishes with some color on one edge
Fitted with good quality treble spring cane handle
GM Helix™ Grip
GM NOW! finish fitted as standard

GM 505 English Willow Grade Bats
Naturally seasoned bleached Grade 3 English Willow
Minor knot marks with some stain/speck
Fitted with treble spring cane handle
GM Helix™ Grip

GM 303 English Wilow Grade Bats
Bleached Grade 4 English Willow
Knot marks and stain
Fitted with ProTec™ cover to face
GM Helix™ Grip  

Cricket Bats: A Guide for Beginners

 Cricket is a popular sport that requires skill, strategy, and equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment for a cricket player is the bat.. It may also be used by a batter who is making batter’s ground to avoid a run out, by holding the bat and touching the ground with it. There are many factors to consider when choosing a cricket bat, such as size, weight, shape, quality, and price. In this article, we will provide some basic information and tips on how to pick the right cricket bat for your needs. 

Size

 The size of the cricket bat depends on the height and age of the player. Generally, there are six standard sizes for cricket bats: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. The size 0 is the smallest and suitable for children under 4 feet tall, while the size 6 is the largest and suitable for adults over 6 feet tall. There are also special sizes for women and juniors, such as Harrow, Academy, and Small Men’s.
To measure the correct size of the bat for you, stand in your batting stance and hold the handle of the bat near your stomach. The toe of the bat should be resting on the ground without digging in. The top of the handle should be level with your waist. If the bat is too long or too short, it may affect your balance and swing. 

Weight 

The weight of the cricket bat is another important factor to consider. The weight of the bat affects the speed and power of your shots, as well as your comfort and control. Generally, lighter bats are easier to handle and faster to swing, while heavier bats are more durable and provide more momentum and force.
The ideal weight of the bat depends on your personal preference and playing style. Some players prefer lighter bats for quick singles and flicks, while others prefer heavier bats for hitting boundaries and lofted shots. The average weight of a cricket bat ranges from 2 lb 7 oz to 3 lb (1.1 kg to 1.4 kg). You can test the weight of the bat by holding it in your dominant hand and lifting it up to your shoulder. If you feel comfortable and confident with the weight, then it is suitable for you. 

Shape 

The shape of the cricket bat refers to the profile, edge thickness, spine height, and sweet spot of the blade. The profile is the overall shape of the bat, which can be either full or concave. A full profile means that the bat has a thick edge and spine throughout the blade, while a concave profile means that the bat has a thin edge and spine in the middle of the blade. A full profile provides more stability and durability, while a concave profile provides more balance and agility.

 The edge thickness and spine height are related to the width and depth of the blade respectively. They affect the strength and performance of the bat. Thicker edges and higher spines provide more power and protection to the bat, while thinner edges and lower spines provide more finesse and control.

 The sweet spot is the area of the blade where you get the maximum impact when you hit the ball. It is usually located in the middle or lower part of the blade. The position of the sweet spot depends on your playing style and pitch conditions. If you play on fast or bouncy pitches, you may prefer a higher sweet spot for driving and cutting shots. If you play on slow or low pitches, you may prefer a lower sweet spot for pulling and hooking shots. 

Quality 

The quality of the cricket bat depends on the material, grade, and finish of the willow wood used to make it. Willow wood is a natural product that varies in density, grain structure, colour, and moisture content. The best quality willow wood is English willow, which is grown in England and has a light colour and straight grains. English willow bats are divided into different grades based on their appearance and performance.
The highest grade is Grade 1+, which has no blemishes or marks on the face of the blade and has at least six straight grains across it. Grade 1+ bats are very rare and expensive, as they are made from the finest clefts of willow wood.The next grade is Grade 1, which has minor blemishes or marks on the face of the blade and has at least six straight grains across it. Grade 1 bats are also very high quality and costly, as they are made from premium clefts of willow wood.The next grade is Grade 2, which has some blemishes or marks on the face of the blade and has at least five straight grains across it. Grade 2 bats are still very good quality and moderately priced, as they are made from good clefts of willow wood. 

The next grade is Grade 3, which has more blemishes or marks on the face of the blade and has at least four straight grains across it. Grade 3 bats are average quality and affordable, as they are made from average clefts of willow wood.

The lowest grade is Grade 4, which has many blemishes or marks on the face of the blade and has less than four straight grains across it. Grade 4 bats are low quality and cheap, as they are made from poor clefts of willow wood. The finish of the cricket bat refers to the coating and protection applied to the blade. The most common finish is natural, which means that the bat has no coating and is exposed to the air. Natural bats require regular oiling and knocking-in to prevent cracking and improve performance. The other finish is anti-scuff, which means that the bat has a clear or coloured sheet of plastic or fibre applied to the face and edges of the blade. Anti-scuff bats require less maintenance and provide more durability and resistance to wear and tear. 

Price 

The price of the cricket bat depends on the factors mentioned above, such as size, weight, shape, quality, and finish. Generally, the higher the quality and performance of the bat, the higher the price. The price also varies depending on the brand, model, and availability of the bat. Some of the most popular and reputable brands of cricket bats are GM, Kookaburra, Gray Nicolls, New Balance, DSC, Protos, SS, MRF, Adidas, and SG. 

Summary 

Cricket bats are essential equipment for cricket players who want to score runs and enjoy the game. Choosing the right cricket bat can make a big difference in your performance and confidence. You should consider various factors such as size, weight, shape, quality, and price when buying a cricket bat. You should also try out different bats before making a final decision. You can find a great selection of cricket bats online at affordable prices and with fast delivery. We hope this article has helped you learn more about cricket bats and how to pick the best one for you. Happy batting!