In a new weekly feature, reviews editor Ed Kemp runs the rule over a new bit of kit that’s caught the eye.
It’s not long now until AOC’s annual gear test– the most comprehensive kit review in cricket – and the wares of all the country’s best manufacturers are starting to roll in.
But before we hand it all over to our expert testers (ex-international players, seasoned pros, plus one lucky reader) we thought we’d have a sneak peek at one of the blades that has recently come through the door.
Although on the full test the expert reviewers won’t know the make of any of the bats, we do know. This is the adidas Incurza (this is the Elite, the highest grade willow version), and it’s been chosen simply because it’s drawn admirers in the office.
Shape
It’s an interesting profile: a long and hefty-looking middle with (as is common nowadays) thick edges. They’re not as thick as the edges of other bats in the adidas range, but for what I’d think of as a strokemaker’s stick (although it’s thick there’s not too much of a bow) they’re pretty pronounced. No shortage of wood here. Adidas do say it’s designed for the more aggressive, forceful player, and there’s plenty of meat to encourage an attacking batsman.
Pickup and wood
For all that, it’s the pickup that will win you over. While you think it might be a touch toe-heavy, it’s nicely, evenly balanced, and once you get going, any half-decently leant-on cover drive pings off at pace. The handle is oval, but not so pronounced as to have you coming over all bottom-handed (unless you started that way). More than anything there’s just something about holding it that makes you want to play your shots.
Looks
Maybe it’s because the one delivered to AOC Towers doesn’t have any stickers on, but it just looks nice. The grain of the wood is clear: straight and defined, which makes the face attractive. Give it a more conservatively-coloured grip and you sense it’s the sort of blade Jack Hobbs might have been happy to be seen with.
If you’d like to win a place on the Gear Test at Lord’s and join the ex-pro willow-wielders, enter our competition.
