Best English Willow Bats: Performance, Durability, Features

While supporting the Indian Team we often see, Rohit Sharma staying deep in the crease and smashing a six over deep mid wicket or Virat Kohli hitting an elegant cover drive between covers and extra covers. And just when we witness their majestic stroke play, we are in awe of their talent and perfection. Obviously, a lot of credit goes to their grind behind the scene, but, some credit also goes to the kind of bats they play with. Ever wondered what these bats are like? Well, today in this blog by ZAP cricket, we are here to answer this question. The English Willow Bats with which our favourite cricketers play come from the superior quality of wood which is then handcrafted in Meerut and delivered to the players so that they can perform well for the country. These bats are very expensive as they come from the finest willow and are available in the market too. However, it’s not easy to pick the right bat from a lot, as that requires plenty of knowledge and someone who holds good experience can only distinguish between the best and an average wood. 

Here’s when we'll come to the rescue and today we’ll share a catalogue that can help you pick the best cricket bat for leather

Making of an English Willow bat 

The best quality of willow is segregated from the lot to make the best high profile bats. The process starts when the manufacturer carefully examines each cleft. Once the ideal cleft is chosen, the experienced craftsman shapes the bat by hand. The bat is shaped as per the profile and accordingly everything is moulded like edges, blade, etc. Later, the most suitable handle is instilled in the bat. The bat is then pressed to compress the wood fibres, enhancing its strength. Lastly, finishing touches are given. Hence, after all the toiling and precision, the bat is ready from for a player to knock.

English Willow Bats vs Kashmir Willow Bats 

Advantages of English Willow Bats

• Ideal for professional cricketers: Cricketers who are playing at a good level and are looking for superior performance prefer high quality English Willow bats as they are ideal for a professional. The bat has better ping and rebound and that makes shot execution easier. Moreover, the sweet spot is also larger, helping in improved timing and consistency. 
• Made with premium quality wood: With premium quality of wood, these bats are a gun! They come in creamish shade with prominent grains, making it ideal for your batting scenarios. Also, the softer willow and stronger handle absorbs shocks efficiently, reducing vibrations felt on hand. 

Limitations of English Willow Bats

• Expensive: These bats come from the superior quality of wood and hence are expensive. The price of a good English Willow bat can start from INR 50,000 and can go upto two or three times. Hence, one of the drawbacks of these bats is that they are not pocket friendly. However, each penny is worth spending if you are a player who wants to excel at the highest level.
• Less durable and high maintenance: English Willow Bats are made with softer wood and hence are not very durable. They require constant care for you to maintain that quality throughout. Any mistimed shot can break the bat and hence, you need to very particular with the kind of leather ball you are using or the pacers you are playing against. Apart from that, avoid exposing your bat unnecessarily under the sunlight as that can reduce the moisture content of the wood and make it dry, resulting in faster wear and tear! Hence these bats require higher maintenance than a usual bat! 

Best English Willow Bats 

#5: SG Riyan Parag English Willow Bat 

Priced at INR 62,999, the SG Riyan Parag English Willow bat is one of the best cricket bats under English willow range. Made with Premium Grade 1 English Willow, the bat has superior grain structure, engineered specifically for power hitting. The bat is also fitted with an imported cane handle, allowing superior absorption. Hence, this bat is a complete package! 

#4: Cricket bat SG Kung Fu Pandya

Inspired by aggressive style play of Hardik Pandya, the Cricket bat SG Kung Fu Pandya, is a premium offering by TeamSG. The bat is meticulously designed for players who seek power and precision. The bat is known for its superior grain structure, durability and stroke. With high quality construction and performance oriented design, this bat will help players in excelling in the sport.

#3: SF Player Edition English Willow Bat 

SF’s Player Edition English Willow Bat comes at a price of INR 79200 and tends to be one of the finest willows in the country. The mid blade swell promises a sustained sweet spot. Moreover, the bat is power packed with great pickup and balance, making it feel lighter than the actual weight. The bat comes in SH size and is built specifically for players who want to sail the ball out of the park! 

#2: SS Nicholas Pooran English Willow Cricket Bat SH

Named after the explosive batter- Nicholas Pooran, this SS Nicholas Pooran English Willow Bat promises the same. The height, length and weight of the bat are 84.45 cms, 11.43 cms 1140-1200g respectively. The willow is air dried and is carefully crafted in Meerut. The toe comes in two options, that is, rounded and flat. Hence, you can buy a premium willow bat and even get it customized as per your demand! The price of the bat is INR 91800

#1: ZAP Vintage Retro Reserve English Willow Bat 

Made with Rare Reserved Grade 1AAA English cleft, this ZAP Vintage Retro Reserve English Willow Bat is a real game changer in the industry. It is priced at INR 117899 and comes in multiple sizes, providing full flexibility in terms of your cricket needs. With SH, Harrow and 6 number size availability, the bat is compatible as anyone from a young player, to an older one, can use it. Also, with harrow size, women cricketers can too use them. 

The weight of the bat ranges from 1110-1195 g. The bat is crafted with precision as the slight offset edge increases power to balance ratio. Along with that, the hexa ultra grip, short handle, mid to low blade and angled toe, provides superior control and power. Hence, if you are looking for best English Willow Bats, this is your chance, grab one now!  

Best English Willow bat under 50000

#5 DSC Thumpa 1000 Bat English Willow Bat 

The monstrous Thumpa 1000 English Willow Bat is one of the best options available under this price bracket. The bat is priced at INR 38,899 and is a great gear for power hitters. The handle type comes in short and round shape and the bat weighs between 1250-1300g. The bat is not for beginners as the willow is heavy and seasoned players can only swing the ball out of the park with this willow!

#4 SF Force L.E English Willow Bat 

Priced at INR 30800, the SF Force L.E English Willow Bat is a good option for professional cricketers. Designed with a mid blade bat profile, the bat is crafted with Grade 2 English Willow. The weight of the bat ranges between 1160 to 1200g and is meticulously designed to unleash maximum explosive power in every shot. 

#3 SS GG Smacker Extreme English Willow Bat-SH

The SS GG Smacker Extreme is for the ones who want to deliver the ball out of the ground. The bat is sold for INR 49300 and weighs between 1140 to 1200g. Hence, it is engineered in such a way that it’s super light, yet extremely powerful. The light weight allows smooth bat swing and the willow quality provides a powerful punch. The bat is a good blend of power and rhythm. Designed for top players, the bat is made of English Willow Super Grade 1 and is one of the best cricket bat for leather ball 

#2 SG Jemi 2.0 English Willow Cricket Bat 

Crafted from premium hand selected Grade 2 English Willow, the SG Jemi 2.0 English Willow Cricket Bat is priced at INR 45049. Featuring shorter blades tailored specifically for women players, the bat is a good option for players those who want to time the ball to perfection. 

#1 ZAP Crown Legacy English Willow Bat 

The best English Willow bat under this price range is ZAP Crown Legacy English Willow Bat. It comes at a price of INR 41999 and comes in three sizes- Full, Harrow and 6. This bat has been designed with two simple tenets in mind: the bringing together of aesthetic beauty and uncompromised performance. The features that make this bat special are: 

• Hexa ultra grips 
• Angles toe 
• Semi concave profile 
• Multiple canes 
• Semi oval handle 
• Lightest pickup/ power ratio

Hence, the Royal Crown is the zenith of ZAP

Conclusion 

Your gear plays a big role in your performance at the highest level and thus it is the duty of every player to invest in the best bats. They help you perform better, make your task easy and complement your efforts. Hence, with our guide, we tried to narrow down the options so that you can conveniently pick the best choice for yourself! 

Also check: Best Dutch Willow Bats, Best Tennis Cricket Bats 

FAQs

Q: Why do Players prefer English willow?
The quality of wood is premium, making it costlier 

Q: Why are English Willow bats more expensive?
They come from high quality wood 

Q: Is the English Willow bat suitable for beginners?
Yes, beginners can also use English Willow bats 

Q: How to pick a Grade 1 bat?
Grade 1 bats have cleaner grains, ensuring higher quality  

Q: Can English Willow bats be used in Tennis cricket?
It is advised not to use English willow bats in Tennis cricket