Owzat-Cricket are on hand once again to help you find the best kit, and get you ready for the new season
As the Christmas season comes to a close, cricketers up and down the country start to turn their attention to winter nets. But it can be difficult to make the most of these indoor sessions. Without the right kit and training aids the limited time in these facilities can flash by without gaining any valuable practice ahead of the new season.
We spoke to Gavin Young at leading retailer Owzat-Cricket for advice on how the right kit can get your cricketing year off to the perfect start. A talented club cricketer in his day, he knows that if players want to come flying out of the blocks when the season gets underway, the work starts now.
Bats
As we look ahead to the new year, when thinking about bats Gav looks back. “Gray-Nicolls have re-released the Powerspot. It’s still got the big blue spot on the reverse but it’s been redesigned to fit into the contemporary big-hitting era. With its mid-to-low sweet spot and massive edges, it’s a traditional bat with a modernised shape.
“The lower sweet spot makes it a perfect fit for club cricketers who play on low bouncing pitches or swing hard at the ball and possibly lift their head a bit early.
“It’s a cool retro bat.”
With its mighty middle, the Powerspot is a great bat to use when getting your eye in after a few months off. Batsmen will relish facing ball after ball in the nets with this willow in hand, as they get used to smoking the ball through the covers once again.
Bags
Gray-Nicolls Powerbow6 1000 Duffle Bag
Winter nets are often midweek affairs, and players come straight from work. The new Gray-Nicolls Powerbow6 1000 duffle bag perfectly caters to this situation.
“This is one hell of a bag” Gav said. “It’s got seven pockets and three bat pockets, so you can safely store your valuables and work clothes in your bag whilst netting.”
Having space to store three bats can enable players to switch bats during a net, as it is easier to bring a selection along.
Easy to sling over your shoulder and with endless space to store coaching aids and clothes in addition to batting equipment, this duffle is a must for the new year.
“You don’t really need another bag, you can use it throughout the season.”
Footwear
Many indoor facilities can be protective about the surface, not allowing outdoor shoes to be worn in an attempt to keep the floor free of mud. But indoor shoes are useful for more than just winter nets, they can have value for the season too.
“After the abnormally hot weather we had last year, players would wear indoor shoes all summer because it was so dry. Some lads also bat in indoor shoes, they’re so light because they don’t have spikes.
“And if the wicket is particularly hard you can feel the spike through the sole of the shoe which is really uncomfortable. Obviously you don’t have that problem with indoor shoes.
“Even spinners use them outdoors because they are just so light.”
Protection
Gray-Nicolls Academy All in One Thigh Pad
“The Gray-Nicolls Academy thigh pad is along the Aero lines, but it’s really good value. For that sort of money you could get two, one for training and one for matches.
“What makes these really good is that they can be worn over your trousers or shorts and taken off easily, ideal for nets.”
At winter nets, there’s no point risking getting injured so it is essential to pad up sufficiently. When bowlers get the ball back in their hands for the first time in four months they can be erratic and keeping your thighs protected from those loose beamers is a must.
Kookaburra Fielding Practice Gloves, New Balance CK4020B3, Gray-Nicolls Powerspot
Clothing
There is one defining aspect about winter nets, it’s cold. Very cold. The cavernous sports halls these facilities are often housed in are Baltic in temperature. Extra layers are required.
“Gunn & Moore do really nice long sleeve base layers. They’re all white so they look sharp and the polyester material keeps you incredibly warm.
“They’re very good for compression too so aids the muscles. All in all a great product to play any sport in.”
Coaching
While it is invaluable practice to have five different bowlers charging in at you, often what a batsmen needs is constant repetition of the same shot. Sidearms are perfect for this.
“They take a bit of practice but once you’ve got the knack of it they are a great net training product.
“Bowlers can fatigue if they are bowling for a long period of time but with these you can really zip it in quicker, for far longer, giving the batsman a thorough net.
“This is a top training aid to bring back to nets to get your team’s batsmen up to speed.”
Kookaburra Fielding Practice Gloves
Catches win matches. That’s the saying. By September your hands are hardened to the cricket ball but the lack of game time in the autumn and winter months softens the paws. By the time you get back to playing again a regulation catch can come with a terrible sting.
“Catching drills are very important once you get back to nets, you want to hit the ground running when the season starts with the slip cordon on top form from the first over.”
But the cold air at winter nets can make intense catching practice a rather unpleasant experience. The Kookaburra Fielding Practice Gloves protect your hands, especially when cold and brittle. Winter nets are about easing yourself back into the game, and a broken finger is no help at all.
To view all these products, and many more, visit www.owzat-cricket.co.uk, call for free on 0800 5428711, or email info@owzat-cricket.co.uk
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