There are many different cricket bats to choose from. When first
looking to buy a new cricket bat you have to decide price range, brand
and then of course English or Kashmir Willow. Today I want to discuss
English Willow and different levels of willow grade to help you decide
which is best for you.
Let's first discuss a few details about English Willow because this is the most popular choice for cricket bat material. English Willow comes from the English Willow tree also called, Salix Alba Caerulea tree and most of them are found in various parts of England. They must mature for no less than 4 years before they are cut down for use in bat making. English willow is the best quality one can buy. The wood from English Willow is straight-grained and the grading is based upon flaws and the other things mentioned below.
A Grade 1 is the most alluring blade, though it may not necessarily play the best. There may be some red wood evident on the edge of the bat. The grain on the face will be straight and there will be at least 4 grains visible. It can have an odd small knot in the edge or back but not on playing area of the bat.
A Grade 2 blade is also very good quality and in grade 2 one can typically expect a larger amount of red wood on the edge of a bat, this has no effect on the playing ability of the bat it is purely cosmetic. Again there will be at least 4 straight grains on the face of the bat with maybe some blemishes, pin knots or small specks that are visible.
Grade 3 is the grade produced and sold most and it's an economical and good quality for money. A Grade 3 Blade has up to half colour across the bat and is therefore sometimes bleached, again this has no direct relation to the playing ability of the wood, and it just has less visual attraction. This grade will also have at least 4 grains on the face of the bat but they may not always be perfectly straight. Furthermore, it will contain more prominent specks and of course butterfly stains.
A Grade 4 Blade is normally bleached to cover up the discoloration, which typically covers over half the bat. The Grade 4 still plays quite well. It will most likely have multiple specks or butterfly stains in it.
In conclusion, when choosing your new cricket bat, make sure you are doing your research first. Quality is very important in this matter as you will hopefully keep the same bat for many years.
Let's first discuss a few details about English Willow because this is the most popular choice for cricket bat material. English Willow comes from the English Willow tree also called, Salix Alba Caerulea tree and most of them are found in various parts of England. They must mature for no less than 4 years before they are cut down for use in bat making. English willow is the best quality one can buy. The wood from English Willow is straight-grained and the grading is based upon flaws and the other things mentioned below.
A Grade 1 is the most alluring blade, though it may not necessarily play the best. There may be some red wood evident on the edge of the bat. The grain on the face will be straight and there will be at least 4 grains visible. It can have an odd small knot in the edge or back but not on playing area of the bat.
A Grade 2 blade is also very good quality and in grade 2 one can typically expect a larger amount of red wood on the edge of a bat, this has no effect on the playing ability of the bat it is purely cosmetic. Again there will be at least 4 straight grains on the face of the bat with maybe some blemishes, pin knots or small specks that are visible.
Grade 3 is the grade produced and sold most and it's an economical and good quality for money. A Grade 3 Blade has up to half colour across the bat and is therefore sometimes bleached, again this has no direct relation to the playing ability of the wood, and it just has less visual attraction. This grade will also have at least 4 grains on the face of the bat but they may not always be perfectly straight. Furthermore, it will contain more prominent specks and of course butterfly stains.
A Grade 4 Blade is normally bleached to cover up the discoloration, which typically covers over half the bat. The Grade 4 still plays quite well. It will most likely have multiple specks or butterfly stains in it.
In conclusion, when choosing your new cricket bat, make sure you are doing your research first. Quality is very important in this matter as you will hopefully keep the same bat for many years.
Lyndea Ward is the author and can provide more information on this and other cricket shopping and caring for tips. Visit http://www.thecricketspot.com today, at thecricketspot.com we focus on selling top of the line cricket products from premier lines such as; Kookaburra, Gray Nicholls, Gunn and Moore and more. Visit http://www.thecricketspot.com today and receive 10% off your order with coupon code enjoy10.
