£300-399: BROWSE AND BUY

NEWBERY NAVARONE 5 STAR

As one of the heavier bats tested, the Newbury’s pick up and feel was the star of the show. One student described it as ‘just a good bat’ adding: “Not too heavy, had something when you hit it. Really grippy.”

Initial impression: 7.5
Build quality: 7.5
Pick-up/feel: 8
Performance: 7.5

RRP: £236

Weight: 2lb 11oz

Edges: 28mm

KOOKABURRA GHOST

The famous Australian batmakers get Alex Tudor’s seal of approval with the Ghost 3.1. He described it as a “good trustworthy bat” which “will only get better the more you use it”

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

RRP: £300

Weight: 2lb 7oz

Edges: 31mm

GRAY-NICOLLS TEMPESTA GEN 1.0 5 STAR

The most expensive Gray-Nicolls bat in our selection, the Gray-Nicolls Tempesta received generally positive reviews.

Initial impression: 8
Build quality: 8
Pick-up/feel: 7.3
Performance: 7.6

RRP: £325

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 36mm

OPTIMAX SY EDITION

Former England international Alex Tudor liked the “well presented” colour scheme and said the bat “performs well” to match.

Initial impression: 7.0
Build quality: 7.1
Pick-up/feel: 7.0
Performance: 7.6

RRP: £350

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 38mm

DSC XLITE 2.0

The main takeaway from 10 minutes with the DSC XLite 2.0 was, for all our testers, a very generous middle and the consistency of contact right the way down the bat.

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

RRP: £372

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 35mm

GUNN & MOORE DIAMOND DXM 909

Lighter, but packs a punch was the verdict of The Cricketer’s student testers when handed the Gunn & Moore Diamond DXM 909.

Initial impression: 7.6
Build quality: 7.6
Pick-up/feel: 8.2
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £380

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 30mm

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