Ponting’s bats

what do you mean by that? just becuase kooka make his bats, doesnt mean he has the same kahuna shape its

He's supposed to be endorsing Smasher bats.I must admit to becoming a tad suspicious when a pro goes out with a blank or partially stickered bat.It usually means he's found a better blade for his requirements but doesn't want to let anyone know whose "make" it is,for two reasons.

1.He'll be in breach of contract if he's using the bat without prior authorisation from his sponsors.

2.He will not want to get publicity for a brand from which he receives no financial reward.

What a minefield!!

Mark.

  Hi Guys we did make bat for some of Smashers Pros,but not any more,  Naughty Boys???

   Bill

  Henry!!!

They may be shoiab, its not a question bill has to answer, just was wondering if he could.

Ok ,Henry  should not be  asking questions the way he does,for me it is rather rude,and i for one am not affraid to tell the truth,but it is sometimes better to be diplomatic and leave things alone.

  What i will say is that i read these forums and for the most part enjoy them but i must say that there is a great deal of inaccurate infomation,sometimes it is very border line.

 Some guys on here give the impression that they speak with great authority, but in truth it is mostly speculation,for instants there is talk about the best bats,best willow and how many grains are best,well the average guy has say 2,3 or possibly 4 bats,we have 78 part finished bats at this time and we dont know which one is the best and we try all of them in the nets,and we have had 1,000 of bats through our hands and we are still learning and will do so for a long time yet i guess, do you get my point, most batmakers make very good bats, there is not much to choose between them,what you guys should take inconsideration is the service that you are offered,not just at the time you buy the bat but more importantly

it is the after service that counts.

This is not a sales pitch,we have got a 3 week waiting time at the moment so James is very busy indeed,

Keep posting, but think before you post ,i would like you guys to promote British hand made cricket bats and encourage young guys to take up batmaking,we have just lost 3 or 4 batmakers lately remember that over 80% of bats are made in Asia and no soft wear at all made in the UK.

 This only my opinion.

  Bill

Paul,

batman100 is better known as Bill Cornford,who with his son James an ex first class cricketer run Fusion Sports in Crewe Cheshire.They make an excellent team and I like to call them bat scientists ,as they have some really great innovative ideas regarding cricket bat making.I have recently had a top of the range bat off them,and whilst it remains unused from a match perspective (damn weather!!),I have used it in the nets and it is a special bit of wood.

I would have to agree with Bill regarding getting involved in who uses what when issues.We all must realise that there could be legal ramifications regarding certain comments,so let's all exercise some discretion when discussing equipment and bats in particular.

One thing is for sure we must support the UK independant bat makers,as they are the companies that offer true quality balanced against value for money.I myself have used Asian bats and found them to be great,but I have to buy two or three a season because they don't last against quick bowling found in high quality premier league cricket,and hard new balls.Why not buy one really well made bat then and support your UK batmaker at the same time!!

Cheers guys,

Mark.

Most people will only go with what they know,not many people will go for a new brand especially if its a new company,as they don't want to be the guinea pig,after all if you are forking out near £200 for a bat you do expect it to last for 2 seasons.some people aren't interested in where the bats are made they've heard the name and think that must be a good bat.i.e Gray Nicholls scoop against the millenium.one was crap one was decent.yet made by the same company.

Originally posted by MrLee I guess the issue here is that people want to know which bats pros use so they can use the same quality bats and get the best equipment. Ponting's bat shape looks a lot like an Impala, don't think he uses Bradbury anymore. Anyway, I have been to Meerut, India and I had seen a few stores. I didn't have much time there but in the few hours I had, I met a guy and he showed me one of Ricky's bats. Obviously it was old but it had about 13 grains. Anyway, I guess it's hard to tell. But I can easily get an SG made for me I would like to know what bat he definatley does use though

For me personally its not necessarily an issue of what bats the pros use, as we know that regardless of where they are from they are the finest in terms of willow, pickup etc.

What cheeses me off and I guess others is:

a) We can pay 300 pounds for a bat and still not get as good as the pros

b) We are misled into thinking that pros use exactly those models which they are advertising

c) No matter what we do or pay we will never get access to the best bits of wood even with Bradbury, Laver and Wood (although Fusion have a guarantee that this is not the case with them)

d) The deafening silence of manufacturers when asked about the bats pros use and the service they receive

e) The double standards of manufacturers i.e. the care and attention given to a single pro compared to what we get from the shelves despite paying so much money... I mean it is just a lottery even with top models when buying from the shops - most of us have experienced that feeling of being a fool having payed so much money and then using it for the first time.... and it feels like you are are using a plank!

In conclusion, many of us are fed up with the great bat rip off.