We’ve picked out a trio of lesser-known manufacturers producing cricket bats worthy of greater recognition. Priced between £199 and £225, the three sticks we’ve selected offer plenty of quality at a seriously sensible price. Having looked at the Hell4Leather Hattori, it’s now the turn of the Shark Great White 5Fin to go under the microscope.
Shark Great White 5Fin
RRP: £225
www.sharkcricket.com
The Tech Spec
Origin: England
Wood: Grade 1 English willow
Sizes Available: SH, LH
Weight Guide: 2lb 7oz-3lb+
Sample Weight: 2lb 13 3/4oz
Handle: Round top/square bottom
Edge (at widest): 31mm
Finish: Natural
Toe Protection: No
Extras: Octopus grip; chrome printed stickers; 12-piece Sarawak cane handle
The Skinny
A meaty piece of willow with plenty of bite, the Great White 5Fin is not for the faint of heart. With a generous middle and an excellent pick-up considering its size, this Cheshire-based boutique brand have crafted a bat for the hard-hitting boundary-finder, ideal for digging out full balls at the death. It’s easy to see why this is the weapon of choice for West Indian masterblaster Dwayne Smith and England Women’s opening bat Danielle Wyatt.
We Like
- The massive middle
- The balance. Well-weighted for a bat of its size
- Dynamic sticker design
We Dislike
- The weight. A little heavy for the AOC team, but that might say more about the size of our forearms than the bat
Star Rating
Appearance: 4/5
Build Quality: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value For Money: 4/5
AOC Rating: 4/5
Words: Jo Harman & Sam Stow
Photography: Joe Provis
Click here for part three of Gear On Test: Backstreet Boys.
