I play in the Liverpool Competition (ECB Premier league for Lancashire),and we have been told that we absolutely cannot use Kookaburra's reinforced bats during this season ,2006 as they contravene law 6. I myself think it's a bit o t t but rules are rules.With regard to the Bradbury, Puma argument.They are both great bats.In fact Julian Millichamp,who makes Puma Au bats,trained Paul Bradbury in the art of podshaving.It's funny how a lot of pro players while appearing to endorse famous brands actually have their bats made by small independant makers.This has happened for many years.A friend of mine who went to live in NZ made bats for numerous world famous players who then stickered them up in their respective sponsors logos.These bats where the best I've ever used but alas no longer exist.They were made in Shropshire I believe1.

Cheers,Mark.

seems a little silly to me, it was proven taht the graphite in no way enhanced the actual performance of the bat, it just increased it's longesvity.

Once again ICC cracks down on something innovative or exciting, just like they have with players showing emotion.

Graphite bats withdrawn from first-class cricket

Cricinfo staff

March 30, 2006

The ICC have confirmed that Kookaburra, the bat manufacturer, hasdecided to voluntarily withdraw its graphite-reinforced bat from allfirst-class cricket by October 1.

Kookaburra's decision to withdraw the batfrom first-class cricket and limited overs competitions played byfirst-class teams follows its withdrawal of the bat from internationalcricket earlier this month.

The earlier decision was made after the ICCadvised Kookaburra that it had received an opinion from MCC, theguardian of the laws of cricket, that the bat does not comply with Law6.

Kookaburra's proposal has been supported bythe ICC member countries who have agreed to allow the use of the batsat levels below first-class domestic competition for the duration ofthe natural lifespan of the bats. Kookaburra has also decided to endthe production and distribution of graphite-reinforced bats.

There was controversy during England's recentTest against India at Mumbai when Owais Shah, who was making his debut,used one of the reinforced bats during his innings of 88 and 38.

what proof do you have to day ponting uses a bradbury?

i can tell you that Puma australia are the people who make his bats for him!!

anyway i agree with Men3gpnc about competing with other sports - dead right,

i would even like to use a bat with the graphite, not becuase it improces the performance(which i dont think it does) but becuase it helps to reinforce the bat so it doesn't split,

why is it banned - is it becuase of the look, or becuase it apparently improces performance?

honestly i think gimmick or not, kookaburra is doing something which this game needs a lot! INOVATION! by far the kookaburra's bat (Graphite/Fibergrass) are the COOLEST bat today, and you have to admit it does attract a lot of attention, especially from the younger generation! like bill said, they have sold 1000s of these bat, so it must be good for the game! what the MCC guys did is exactly the opposite! they are interpreting laws, and 'spirit' of the game instead of looking at the bigger picture! at this rate we will all soon be 'spirits' of this dying game!

i really think cricket needs to change to compete with other sports!  we cant stand still while other sports are embracing and incorporating technology and innovation everyday! and all we did is sit there and whine about why are we losing youngsters to other sport!?!? i really feel this ban is a BIG step backward for cricket in general.

i look forward at the begining of every cricket season with interest about new cricket product produced by both big and small manufacturer! with this ban i dont know what to expect next year...new stickers same bat?

Statement from Brett Elliot, Managing Director of KookaburraReaders Ltd, in response to the announcement by the Marylebone CricketClub (MCC), as the maker and guardian of the Laws of Cricket, thatKookaburra’s three graphite covered cricket bats (the “Ricky Ponting”Kahuna, The Beast and the Genesis Hurricane) do not comply with Law 6of the Laws of Cricket:

“Kookaburra is extremely disappointed by the MCC’s opinion andstrongly disagree that our graphite covered cricket bats do not complywith Law 6 of the Laws of Cricket.

Kookaburra has a proud history of manufacturing cricket equipmentsince 1890 and this is the first instance that a Kookaburra bat hasbeen drawn into question.  We strive to design innovative and cuttingedge cricket equipment that allows athletes to perform at their best.We broke new ground in cricket bat design by adding a carbon fibrecover to the back of the Kookaburra bat, thus protecting andstrengthening the blade and ensuring the bat lasts longer. Thisprotective covering was designed specifically to comply with Law 6.2.The blade of the Kookaburra graphite covered bat is made entirely ofwood, and the carbon fibre covering on the back of the bat is less than1.56mm in thickness. Over 60% of cricket bats currently on the markethave a cover similar to the Kookaburra graphite cover.

The MCC claim that the graphite cover forms an integral part of theblade and as such contravenes Law 6.1, however, we maintain that thegraphite is merely a superficial layer which, like any other coveringpermissible under Law 6.2, cannot be considered a composite element ofthe actual wooden blade of the bat.

It is the opinion of three leading independent experts that the batsin question do not contravene the laws of the game. Furthermore, sincethe launch of our graphite covered bats in December 2004, numerousinternational players have used the bat without issue. For example,Ricky Ponting has used the bat in 53 One Day International and Testmatches without complaint from opposition players or umpires.

However, Kookaburra fully respects both the Laws of Cricket and theSpirit of Cricket and has therefore reached agreement with the ICC tovoluntarily withdraw the bats from international cricket. We willsupply all our international cricketers with replacement bats and willimmediately undertake a full review of the evidence used by the MCCbefore deciding on the next course of action.

We would like to reassure cricketers that the graphite covered bathas not been banned from cricket and it is only a withdrawal frominternational cricket. The owners of Kookaburra’s graphite covered batscan continue to use the bats domestically for the foreseeablefuture.”  "

here's another update bout the bats

http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/2374 89.html

I do wear Oakley sunglasses when fielding and it has helped against the glare, however, the designs are still off-putting.

I remember when a bat was just a bat and you didn't need endless gimmicks to sell them.

Wood is a beautiful, natural product, why cover it up?

put some Oakleys on!!

Of course,I do concentrate on the ball as well, however, the back of the bat still is predominately in view.

It is only recently that some manufacturers have decided to cover the whole of the back of a bat with these lurid designs and i can only asume that it is to annoy the wicket-keeper and slip fielders

Doctor,remember you must concentrate on the ball and nothing else.LOL

Bill

I normally field in the slips and, as a rule, i always look at the edge of the bat when the bowler comes in to bowl.

The reverse side of some bats these days leaves a lot to be desired!

I can't stand having to concentrate on lurid designs and pictures on the reverse side of some bats.

I think they should be banned