Graphite/Fibreglass?

Only International Players can't use it anymore, anyone else can, read this article from the Kookaburra website.

"

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

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

Kookaburra has a proud history of manufacturing cricket equipment since 1890 and this is the first instance that a Kookaburra bat has been drawn into question.  We strive to design innovative and cutting edge cricket equipment that allows athletes to perform at their best. We broke new ground in cricket bat design by adding a carbon fibre cover to the back of the Kookaburra bat, thus protecting and strengthening the blade and ensuring the bat lasts longer. This protective covering was designed specifically to comply with Law 6.2. The blade of the Kookaburra graphite covered bat is made entirely of wood, and the carbon fibre covering on the back of the bat is less than 1.56mm in thickness. Over 60% of cricket bats currently on the market have a cover similar to the Kookaburra graphite cover.

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

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

However, Kookaburra fully respects both the Laws of Cricket and the Spirit of Cricket and has therefore reached agreement with the ICC to voluntarily withdraw the bats from international cricket. We will supply all our international cricketers with replacement bats and will immediately undertake a full review of the evidence used by the MCC before deciding on the next course of action.

We would like to reassure cricketers that the graphite covered bat has not been banned from cricket and it is only a withdrawal from international cricket. The owners of Kookaburra’s graphite covered bats can continue to use the bats domestically for the foreseeable future.”  "

there banned now and i reckons a decent decision as its the laws of cricket and ricky pontings bat isnt ever graphite its basically a sticket kookaburra puts on it as ponting uses a bradbury and husseys backing is extremely light as he doesnt like his bats to be too heavy but still thick so i think they just mean the ones on the shelves

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?

what proof i have ahhhhh let me see i happen to be pretty close with his batting coach and everytime he comes to w.a. we meet up at one of punters sessions and talk about all different things thats my proof [puma australia actually make pretty good bats though but not for punter good try but not even close)

yeah i agree

they might bump the prices up and call them "Collectors Items" 

i met ashley giles today!!!!!! woo!!!! i asked him about the graphite on bats and he said he didnt like them as they werent in the spirit of the game, or something like that

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.

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.

 

Edited by marky