£300-399: BROWSE AND BUY

KOOKABURRA AURA 3.1

The Kookaburra Aura 3.1 really is an eye-catching bat, with a fetching blue and red colour scheme riffing off beautifully against the brand's trademark Australian bird.

Initial impression: 7.4
Build quality: 7.4
Pick-up/feel: 7.2
Performance: 6.4

RRP: £300

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 38mm

PROPHECY OMEN

The Omen only comes in at 2lb 12oz, but its bottom-heavy nature – designed to suit players with a front-foot dominance – means that it's a bat built for a very specific type of batter.

Initial impression: 6.3
Build quality: 8.3
Pick-up/feel: 5.8
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £320

Weight: 2lb 12oz

Edges: 38mm

PROPHECY VISION

With 38mm edges and a weight of 2lb 9oz, this has something for everyone: neither too heavy nor too light, with a fairly central middle and a decent distribution of weight throughout.

Initial impression: 6.5
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 9.0
Performance: 9.0

RRP: £320

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 38mm

GRAY-NICOLLS COBRA 5 STAR   

More than anything, this felt like a classy piece of wood – not only in its generosity if you got a booming drive out of the screws, but also simply from its decoration and its handle.

Initial impression: 7.4
Build quality: 7.2
Pick-up/feel: 6.8
Performance: 7.2

RRP: £325

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 37mm

GUNN & MOORE HYPA 909

Like most GM bats, the Hypa feels properly curated and that is reflected in a price north of £275.

Initial impression: 8.0
Build quality: 8.3
Pick-up/feel: 8.7
Performance: 8.3

RRP: £350

Weight: 2lb 10oz

Edges: 38mm

SIKA STAG

With edges of 36mm, this was far from the bulkiest bat on display at The Cricketer's testing day, so with scores of above 8 across the board this was one of the best blades.

Initial impression: 8.5
Build quality: 8.5
Pick-up/feel: 9.0
Performance: 8.5

RRP: £399

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 36mm

SILVA STAG

Stag have retained the low middle of the 2022 model, which should suit many of the club players whose staple diet is docile green wickets.

Initial impression: 6.6
Build quality: 6.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.6
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £399

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 36mm

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