“That’s a top bat – the best I’ve used.”
RRP: £350, Edges: 35mm, Weight: 2lb 9oz
Gray-Nicolls is a classic brand, and has had so many prestigious users, so this should be a winner.
Former England batter Mark Stoneman tested it and said that it was “decent”, and “the ball came well out of the middle”, even if he acknowledged that "the handle was slightly not in sync for me".
Bryony Smith, of Surrey and England, had no reservations at all, however. “It was really nice,” she said. “I like the lightweight pick-up, love the shape, and it is nice and clean-looking, with really good design. It has a very good middle. Simple…”
The students were all in agreement, too. they liked the light pick-up. “You could just start batting without practising,” said one. “It has an unbelievable middle,” said another. “It looked thin, but it was absolute quality. It felt like everywhere was the middle – it is a ‘cheat’ bat.”
And saving the best until last, another said: “That’s a top bat – the best I’ve used.”
Initial impression: 8.3
Build quality: 8.8
Pick-up/feel: 8.7
Performance: 8.7
OVERALL SCORE: 8.6
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