"A properly solid bat with a great performance, I had full confidence swinging it"
RRP: £230, Edges: 37mm, Weight: 2lb 8oz
There can be no higher praise than to say that Mark Stoneman, the former England Test opener, walked out of his net and told anyone who would listen that this was the bat of the day.
"It has a lovely tapered handle," said the former Durham, Surrey and Middlesex batter. "It allowed me to distribute the grip how I like to. A properly solid bat with a great performance, I had full confidence swinging it."
Stoneman wasn't alone as a fan of this particular piece of willow.
James Coyne, among The Cricketer's posse of journalist testers, praised its "great look", while the four student testers were unanimous.
"Nice and light," said one, "with a thin handle which I like, and a nice thicker bottom."
"It felt so good in its follow through," added another, "and really nice on the downswing."
The third made mention of the bat's hard wood. "If you middle this, it'll go further than other bats."
The fourth explained how the low middle suited his game perfectly and commended its balanced pickup despite the low centre.
Initial impression: 7.2
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.7
Performance: 8.0
OVERALL SCORE: 7.7
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