Talking Bats with Python Cricket
Python Cricket are a relatively new but exciting company based in Suffolk, where they only use the finest English Willow. Steve from Python tells us how bats are made, the benefits of using small bat companies and why Python charge so cheaply.
- Cricket bat making or podshaving as it is known in the industry is a craft that has been around for as long as the great game but recent times has seen a boom in small boutique bat makers that are producing first class cricket bats. At Python we are one of those boutique bat makers
Big brand bat makers will receive pieces of timber to turn into cricket bats, these are called clefts. A bat maker from the brand will then assess the clefts, looking for grains and how straight they are. This will indicate the strength of the tree and how straight the tree grew. They will also look at colour, density and moisture factors. They will then grade the willow, the finest willow will be classed as Grade 1 Willow and this will be used to make the best bats in the range. Yet, players have noted that a gorgeous looking bat is not always the highest performing bat. A piece of willow that may look gorgeous may be missing the spring and ping for a truly world class bat. This is where Python Cricket Bats has truly been revolutionary. With our unique willow selection process they don’t select their cricket bat willow based on a look, they select the willow based on performance.
It has become understood that while the selection of the willow for the bat is important, it pales in comparison to the importance of having a well pressed cricket bat. A well pressed cricket bat means that the bat maker pays attention to detail to ensure the bat retains its moisture and shape but has the necessary curve for optimal performance. Smaller bat brands are able to invest time into the pressing process and tailor the pressing for each cleft to ensure that the performance is maximized. Players have noted that larger bat brands may over-press their bats due to mass production, resulting in a bat that does not hit the ball as well and is susceptible to damage. A correctly pressed bat does not only ensure high performance but it also ensures a better durability and longevity to the bat.
In this way that some of the smaller bat brands have been able to take the sting out of the high expenses in purchasing high quality cricket bats and equipment. Willow growers and sellers will sell their best looking willow at a premium price. Smaller bat brands are willing to put time into the willow selection and bat making process rather thereby severely diminishing their costs on the unworked willow. By selecting the perceived lower graded willow we are able to buy these clefts at lower prices and we are then able to sell our bats at lower costs.
In this way that some of the smaller bat brands have been able to take the sting out of the high expenses in purchasing high quality cricket bats and equipment. Willow growers and sellers will sell their best looking willow at a premium price. Smaller bat brands are willing to put time into the willow selection and bat making process rather thereby severely diminishing their costs on the unworked willow. By selecting the perceived lower graded willow we are able to buy these clefts at lower prices and we are then able to sell our bats at lower costs.