BATS BY RATING: BROWSE AND BUY

GRAY NICOLLS CLASSIC PRESTIGE

“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

RRP: £350

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

KOOKABURRA NICKEL 4.1

It proved to be a popular bat, one student tester went as far as to say that they "loved" the bat

Initial impression: 8.2
Build quality: 8.2
Pick-up/feel: 8.6
Performance: 8.6

RRP: £275

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

NEW BALANCE HERITAGE 600

"There is no greater compliment, in terms of solidity and reliability, than James Coyne naming Chris Woakes as this bat's cricketer equivalent"

Initial impression: 7.9
Build quality: 8.3
Pick-up/feel: 7.9
Performance: 8.4

RRP: £320

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

NEWBERY KUDOS G4

"Consistent with the design and look, this bat is ideal for modern players looking to refine their game"

Initial impression: 8.0
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 8.3
Performance: 8.0

RRP: £280

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 35mm

GRAY NICOLLS STRATOS 1.1 PLAYERS

"It feels like a wide bat, which I like"

Initial impression: 7.6
Build quality: 8.0
Pick-up/feel: 8.0
Performance: 8.4

RRP: £500

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

GUNN MOORE VERVA SIGNATURE

"A properly solid bat with a great performance, I had full confidence swinging it"

Initial impression: 7.2
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.7
Performance: 8.0

RRP: £230

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 37mm

SF INCREDIBLE 1000

"A brilliant bat I would recommend"

Initial impression: 7.5
Build quality: 7.3
Pick-up/feel: 7.7
Performance: 8.2

RRP: £160

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 34mm

NEW BALANCE TC500 MAX

"Testers were particularly attracted to the middle-positioned sweet spot"

Initial impression: 7.8
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.1
Performance: 7.9

RRP: £250

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 35mm

NEWBERY PULSE PLAYERS

"The big edges and spine are pretty forgiving too, but you need to be fully committed to every shot"

Initial impression: 7.0
Build quality: 8.0
Pick-up/feel: 7.2
Performance: 7.8

RRP: £420

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 36mm

KOOKABURRA RAPID 3.1

"This bat has a perfect swing thanks to the great weight. When you found the middle, it properly pinged and if you connect right it goes. It was the best I’ve used all day"

Initial impression: 7.2
Build quality: 7.0
Pick-up/feel: 8.0
Performance: 7.7

RRP: £375

Weight: 2lb 7oz

Edges: 34mm

GRAY NICOLLS VENTUS 1.3 300

"It has great colours and weight, and hits really well"

Initial impression: 7.5
Build quality: 7.7
Pick-up/feel: 7.3
Performance: 7.3

RRP: £200

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 35mm

DKP CORE

"I like the colours and stickers – it feels original to me. The performance was nice too, with a good high middle."

Initial impression: 7.6
Build quality: 7.1
Pick-up/feel: 7.7
Performance: 7.3

RRP: £499.99

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 28mm

OPTIMAX PYRO EDITION

"Not the lightest but a decent middle. A good value bat"

Initial impression: 7.4
Build quality: 7.4
Pick-up/feel: 6.6
Performance: 8.0

RRP: £220

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 38mm

GUNN MORRE PSYCHE 909

"Really nice, light pickup"

Initial impression: 7.6
Build quality: 7.0
Pick-up/feel: 7.2
Performance: 7.2

RRP: £400

Weight: 2lb 7oz

Edges: 34mm

NEXX Aura Exclusive

"There were rewards to be had when players did connect effectively, with players getting full value for every stroke when they found some timing"

Initial impression: 6.8
Build quality: 7.2
Pick-up/feel: 7.3
Performance: 7.7

RRP: £379.95

Weight: 2lb 6oz

Edges: 40mm

NEW BALANCE DC500 MAX

Used by Australian great, Steve Smith, when he brought up his 36th Test century against Sri Lanka

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

RRP: £250

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 34mm

WOMBAT Onyx LE

"When you get the hang of it, it really performs"

Initial impression: 7.3
Build quality: 7.5
Pick-up/feel: 6.8
Performance: 7.0

RRP: £550

Weight: 2lb 10oz

Edges: 35mm

CHASE AI0 PLAYERS

"It has a lovely middle. It just pings off and it’s good even when you don’t hit the sweet spot."

Initial impression: 6.7
Build quality: 6.5
Pick-up/feel: 6.5
Performance: 6.8

RRP: £310

Weight: 2lb 12oz

Edges: 32mm

KOOKABURRA AURA 6.1

"This is one for the powerlifters among you"

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

RRP: £230

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 36mm

GUNN MOORE AION 606

"A dark finish on the sticker and a generous middle to fall in love with"

Initial impression: 6.8
Build quality: 7.4
Pick-up/feel: 6.6
Performance: 6.8

RRP: £195

Weight: 2lb 12oz

Edges: 39mm

TON RESERVE EDITION

"Very impressed by the end result. I didn't expect it to work because it was heavy but it worked well"

Initial impression: 6.8
Build quality: 7.0
Pick-up/feel: 6.5
Performance: 6.8

RRP: £375

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 37mm

DSC PEARLA X1

"Testers warmed to the weight distribution, with its mid-to-low sweet spot"

Initial impression: 6.6
Build quality: 6.6
Pick-up/feel: 6.7
Performance: 6.7

RRP: £410

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 36mm

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