Bat Review: Kookaburra Ridgeback Probe Cricket Bat 2024

The retro look of the bat was a highlight for some and a turn-off for others, and there was a similar split between The Cricketer’s team and the student testers on the bat's performance

RRP: £190, Edges: 35mm, Weight: 2lb 9oz

The retro look of the Kookaburra bat was a highlight for some and a turn-off for others, and there was a similar split between The Cricketer’s team and the student testers on the bat's performance.

Editor Huw Turbervill described it as ‘the Ravi Jadeja of bats’ - a good all-round bat, where “cover drives sealed the deal for me.”

The Cricketer’s student team though felt the design was off-putting with one saying: “I think the design was interesting, however because of that I made it hard to find the middle of the back so I think on your inconsistent days I wouldn’t enjoy as much as a regular bat design.”

^{The Kookaburra Ridgeback in action. [Paul Carroll]}

Another highlighted the bats pick up as an issue: “Overall the pick up was a bit off, it holds you back quite a bit, especially if you’re trying to get a bit more energy into your shots. 

“Even when you do connect it doesn’t come off as intended. You have to find the exact spot and if you don’t it won’t go very far.”

Nick Friend however disagreed saying: “It’s like a late 90s remix,” adding “It has a nice pick up, not too late, and it isn’t top or bottom heavy.”

Initial impression: 6.9

Build quality: 7.3

Pick-up/feel: 6.3

Performance: 6.9

OVERALL SCORE: 6.8 

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