September 10, 2013

Cricket Magazine Bat Tests


When it comes to buying your new bat for the season ahead, are the cricket magazine bat tests of any practical value? This question passed through my mind when reading the 2013 gear test in All Out Cricket (AOC).  I had my doubts. So, with curiosity piqued I looked at the test alongside previous year’s tests of AOC and The Cricketer to try and answer my question on value.



In these magazine tests, mass produced bats from big brands are compared equally alongside low volume, and ‘custom’ bats from small and niche companies.  High-end G1 bats costing well over £400 are set against mid-range G2/G3 bats costing less than £200. There appears to be no criteria specified to bat makers on their submission, such as bat weight, and grade. Testers can be a mix of pros and club cricketers (AOC), or club cricketers and magazine staff (The Cricketer). They are all asked for a subjective view on Performance, Pick-up/Feel, and Looks/First Impressions. Therefore, much like Tim Bresnan's batting, the results are going to be highly variable. Consequently, are the comparisons they make meaningful?