£200-299: BROWSE AND BUY

TON GLADIATOR IV

Consistency was a key theme among the ratings for the Gladiator, which scored an average of 7.8 across three categories – pick up and feel, build quality and performance.

Initial impression: 7.2
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.8
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £200

Weight: 2lb 10oz

Edges: 35mm

KOOKABURRA STEALTH 5.1

Former England international Alex Tudor was full of praise for the good weight and balance of the Kookaburra Stealth, which left him full of trust that he didn’t have to overhit deliveries.

Initial impression: 7.6
Build quality: 8
Pick-up/feel: 7.7
Performance: 8.1

RRP: £200

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

GUNN & MOORE MANA DXM SIGNATURE

The middle of the Gunn & Moore Mana DXM was variously described as “good”, “solid”, “reliable” and “sweet”.

Initial impression: 6.8
Build quality: 7.2
Pick-up/feel: 7.3
Performance: 6.2

RRP: £205

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 33mm

GRAY-NICOLLS SHOCKWAVE GEN 2.3 4 STAR

"Really good bat, light pick up, great middle and well built," said one tester about the Gray-Nicolls Shockwave. You can't really ask for much more than that.

Initial impression: 7.8
Build quality: 8
Pick-up/feel: 7.4
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £225

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 30mm

DSC BLAK 4000

It is off the middle where the DSC Blak really delivers in terms of power; if you can connect with good timing the ball can really fly.

Initial impression: 7.3
Build quality: 7.7
Pick-up/feel: 7.4
Performance: 7.9

RRP: £236

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 37mm

TON NEMESIS III

Across 16 bats by major manufacturers, the Ton Nemesis III was the top of the pile with ‘the sweetest of centres’ for testers who rated the performance highest on the day.

Initial impression: 7.7
Build quality: 8
Pick-up/feel: 8
Performance: 8.7

RRP: £275

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

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