Andy Afford attended this year’s cricket industry trade show at Lord’s and picked out several bats to look out for in shops next year.
Gray-Nicolls 100 Scoop
RRP £200
An amazing looking update on the 70s classic scoop design. Huge doesn’t really describe this bat – it’s supersized! A perfect update on the company’s retro-classic and the most fun item in show by some distance; the kind of distance, in fact, that Clive Lloyd used to hit the ball with one of these beauties’ forefathers back in the day.
Millichamp & Hall The Master
RRP £450
This purple-liveried giant is based on a bat made by the West Country’s finest for none other than Sachin himself. A huge bat, boasting huge, well, everything! Overall, a superbly presented range from M&H on a superbly conceived trade stand. As ever, they will be ‘one to beat’ at the Gear Test.
Piri Piri Pro Bat Range
RRP from £199
There is some flamboyant design on these ‘flaming hot’ blades, and a new blue Tampequeno Dias model has been added for 2012. It’s the company’s top-of-the-range offering and should see a fair few heads turned, as well as several fielders dispatched to the boundary to fetch the latest ludicrously big six.
Willostix Classic Anaconda
RRP £295
With revised livery in line with the rest of the new range, 2012 sees the Willostix Classic Anaconda come of age. Still graced with playfully detailed stickering and added fun ‘hidden’ taglines, plus a cigarette card inspired rear decal and scorched face design, it’s evident that Willostix love their stuff. Overall, the brand put together a superb-looking stand at Lord’s and their enthusiasm for their product alone makes them definitely worth considering, especially if you’ve never used a Willostix bat before. 2012 could be a big year for the Kent company.
Boom Boom Signature 100
RRP £100
A grade three English willow bat for a ‘ton’ – surely not? Absolutely true. This guts-and-garters offering from one of the marketplace’s new boys is bound to do well at this price point. The bat comes ready to play and looks an utter bargain.
Click here to see part one of the top bats to look out for in 2012
