AOC sets about finding the willow that gives you the most bang for your buck.

EDITOR’S OVERVIEW

It seems that there is literally no upper limit to how much you can spend on a bat these days. But ask yourself, does a £300, neon-stickered monstrosity really make the average club player any better? There are some cracking blades out there that aren’t going to force you to forgo several months of food in order to afford them, so we’ve sort out a selection of bats that offer you top-drawer performance at bargain prices.

In an effort to maximise our cash, we’ve deliberately eschewed some of the bigger brands, with their accompanying hefty price tags, and sort out lesser-known makes that we have had personal experience with or have been reliably informed consistently offer quality pieces of equipment. These are the four that impressed us the most, and each of them would do you proud out in the middle.

MILLICHAMP & HALL ORIGINAL

PRICE: £130
WEIGHT: 2lbs 8oz

The Bat

Founded in 1987 and now based at Taunton, M&H specialise in bespoke, hand-made cricket bats and enjoyed something of a cult following in the 80s and 90s. The Original is modelled after the company’s first ever bat and is available in both grade one (£160) and grade two (£130) willow, but whichever one you choose is supplied with a rather swish draw-string cloth bat cover.

For further information on Millichamp & Hall equipment go to www.millichampandhall.co.uk.

We Say
Our pick for the prettiest candidate, and a great all-round performer. Has a really sweet middle and suited both testers down to the ground. The evenly distributed sweet spot means you will be able to get on that back foot, whilst the bat cover is frankly lovely.

AOC Deputy Editor Phil Walker’s ratings:
Pick up: 7/10
Look: 9/10
Middle: 8/10
On the drive: 9/10

AOC writer Ed Davis’ ratings:
Pick up: 8/10
Look: 9/10
Middle: 8/10
On the drive: 8/10

TOTAL: 66/80

HUNTS COUNTY TRIUMPH

PRICE: £125
WEIGHT: 2lbs 9oz

The Bat
A tried and tested brand, Hunts have abandoned the traditional iconography with which they made their name and adopted some funky new designs for the second half of the millennium. The Triumph is one of their mid-range bats that is intended for immediate use, and features a pretty sizeable bow. Weights range from 2lb 7oz to 2lb 14oz, accommodating both the superman and the puny of bicep.

For further information on Hunts County equipment go to www.huntscountybats.co.uk.

We Say
Slightly unusual pick up, but my word did this bat go like a bullet train. Likely to favour the aggressive batsman who wants to get on the front foot, and heaven knows what the 2lb 14oz version would do to a ball.

PW’s ratings:
Pick up: 7/10
Look: 7/10
Middle: 9/10
On the drive: 9/10

ED’s ratings:
Pick up: 6/10
Look: 7/10
Middle: 8/10
On the drive: 9/10

TOTAL: 62/80

WILLOSTIX BOOMSLANG

PRICE: £150
WEIGHT: 2lbs 7oz

The Bat
The new kids on the block, Willostix offer a wealth of kit at bargain prices and were the surprise hit of the 2008 AOC gear test. Offering customisable graphics and a variety of weights, the discerning cricketer can choose the bat to suit them. Stuffy traditionalists might not find the designs to their taste, but if you’re open to something a bit different, then these could well float your boat.

For further information on Willostix equipment go to www.willostix.co.uk.

We Say
Another consistent performing bat that would suit natural timers of the ball rather than your outright blasters, but lost nothing in terms of power despite being the lightest of the four. One for the top-order perhaps.

PW’s ratings:
Pick up: 9/10
Look: 8/10
Middle: 7/10
On the drive: 7/10

ED’s ratings:
Pick up: 7/10
Look: 8/10
Middle: 8/10
On the drive: 8/10

TOTAL: 62/80

WARSOP STEBBING SUPERIOR

PRICE: £125
WEIGHT: 2lbs 10oz

The Bat
An Essex institution, Warsop Stebbing have long held a reputation with those in the know out in East Anglia, and have recently been shoved back into the limelight thanks to the mighty forearms of Twenty20 uber-slogger Graham Napier. The bat we ended up with was a punchy short handle that clocked in at a weighty 2lb 10oz.

For further information on Warsop Stebbing equipment go to www.handmadebats.co.uk.

We Say
The meatiest bat in our selection, and when you got hold of it the ball stayed hit. Required a bit more muscle to utilise than the other bats, but if you’ve got the power and are coming in with quick runs needed, this will do you proud.

PW’s ratings:
Pick up: 7/10
Look: 6/10
Middle: 7/10
On the drive: 8/10

ED’s ratings:
Pick up: 8/10
Look: 8/10
Middle: 9/10
On the drive: 9/10

TOTAL: 62/80

‘Bats are an individual thing; it’s very much a question of finding the right one to suit your game. We both play in their own idiosyncratic (read purist’s nightmare) styles and we both had our individual favourites, but the overriding impression was these were all great bats with nice, chunky middles. Give them a try and save yourself a few bob.’
Ed Davis