Custom Made Cricket Bats

Why buy a custom made cricket bat?

By purchasing a custom made cricket bat you can get a tailor-made blade entirely customised to your personal preferences, strengths and playing style.

It is these reasons why it is not disingenuous to state that a custom made bat should have a highly positive impact on your performance, although of course form and luck play their part too.

All of the top international professionals have custom made cricket bats but thanks to Cricket Direct and Gray-Nicolls, you can get the star treatment too.

Everyone’s game is different and we all have unique requirements. There are cricket bats on the mass market that will suit you absolutely fine, but if you know your desired profile and you’re looking for an ultimate quality, professional experience, a Gray-Nicolls custom made cricket bat is the smart choice.

Plus, it’s not necessarily more expensive. For instance, a Gray-Nicolls Legend Cricket Bat retails at a higher price that a custom made Gray-Nicolls bat.

Why Gray-Nicolls custom made bats?

Gray-Nicolls, the engineer of arguably the best custom made bats is a brand that needs no introduction. Gray-Nicolls cricket bats have 160 years’ history and heritage hand-crafted into every stunning profile, which blend tradition with innovation.

World-renowned for outstanding quality cricket bats since 1876, past legends such as W.G. Grace and Brian Lara have endorsed the brand, while Alastair Cook and David Warner headline their current team of endorsers. One of the many lessons we’ve learnt on the cricket pitch is that you should never underestimate the value of experience.

Made in England, Gray-Nicolls custom made cricket bats UK are made from the very highest quality English willow, grown and harvested by the company itself.

With so many options to choose form, you can be confident that you will receive a tailor made cricket bat that is perfect for you and your game. As far as aesthetics are concerned, simply pick your favourite bat stickers from the Gray-Nicolls cricket bat range.

Crafting Your Gray-Nicolls Custom Bat:

1. UNLOADING
The willow arrives in Robertsbridge and is cut into roundels. The roundels are sealed and left to dry for a few days.

2. SPLITTING
Each roundel has its bark stripped and is marked ready for splitting into clefts. A cleft in its roughest form is cut and ready for machining.

3. DRYING
The English willow cleft is graded at this point and left for 6 weeks to air-dry, which reduces its naturally high moisture content. Custom Made Gray-Nicolls cricket bats will use premium English willow.

4. HANDLE
The handle is turned on a lathe to create the perfect shape. Each handle is then fitted into the cleft by hand.

5. SHAPING
A Gray-Nicolls master bat-maker will then ensure each cricket bat is shaped to provide optimum balance, pick-up and performance. Bats are carefully sanded and buffed to give them their finished look and feel. It is at this stage where the preferences outlined in our custom made bat form will be handcrafted into the profile.

6. PRESSING
Each custom made bat is then pressed, compressing the natural fibres to enhance the performance of each bat and provide the blade with its bow.

7. BINDING
The handle is then bound and glued to add more strength.

8. LABELLING
Finally, the labels are carefully applied and the grip is fitted.

How to order your customised cricket bat:

1. Purchase a Gray-Nicolls custom made cricket bat online
2. Fill-in a custom made bat form and email sales@cricketdirect.com
3. Await delivery of your dream cricket bat

Gray-Nicolls custom made bats have an average delivery time of 2-3 weeks. If you opt for our ‘Ready2Play’ service, the delivery time will be increased by up to a further fortnight. Lead times may vary depending on the time of year that you order.

We understand that buying a custom made bat is a big decision. If you would like to discuss your personal requirements with a cricket expert, simply call us on 01727 736953.