Everything You Need to Know About GM Cricket Bats Willow Grading

Experienced cricketers understand that there’s more to a cricket bat’s anatomy than its length, shape, and weight. You also have to learn about other parameters, such as profile, edge thickness, and willow grading. All these factors impact stroke play and your overall batting performance. If you’re planning to buy a GM cricket bat, you’re at the right place, as we’ll share everything you need to know about Gunn & Moore’s English willow grading.

What Is a Cricket Bat Willow?

Traditionally, all cricket bats are made from willow wood which comes from around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. These fast-growing, straight trees are tough but incredibly lightweight, which makes them ideal for cricket bats. The most common types include English and Kashmir willow, which differ in terms of quality and, therefore, price.

English Willow vs. Kashmir Willow

Several factors separate English Willow from Kashmir Willow. However, English willow is much superior to the latter and is the go-to choice for Gunn and Moore. Let’s check out the main differences: Color

English Willow bats are relatively lighter than their Kashmir counterparts, which are more reddish. Weight

Kashmir willow is slightly heavier, which is ideal for players who prefer heavier bats. However, those looking for lighter options will fare better with English willow bats since their lightweight allows for thicker edges and spines. Durability

English willow is grown in wetter conditions, making it more durable compared to the drier, crack-prone Kashmir willow. Compressibility

English willow is relatively more compressible than Kashmir willow, which makes it more versatile for producing different bat shapes and profiles. Price

English willow bats are generally more expensive than Kashmir willow bats due to their higher overall quality.

Understanding English Willow Grades Grade 1

This is the highest quality English willow in the market, typically used to make bats for professionals. It has no blemishes, and you can see at least 5-6 grain lines. Grade 2

Grade 2 is slightly lower in terms of quality, but still popularly used by professionals, especially lower-order batsmen and bowlers. They have some blemishes and a few grain lines. Grade 3

This is usually the go-to choice for amateurs and cricket enthusiasts that don’t play professionally. It’s quite similar to grade 2 in terms of performance and grains, but it’s slightly heavier. Grade 4

And finally, we have Grade 4 English willow, which has a lot of visible blemishes and stains on the blade. Grade 4 willow bats are the most affordable option for cricketers, especially beginners who want to learn the basics and improve their game.

Willow Grading of GM Cricket Bats

If you’ve searched online for GM cricket bats, you might have seen willow grading without knowing exactly what it means. Let’s change that by exploring what Gunn & Moore has to offer from its line of high-quality English willow bats:

Original L.E

● Made from limited Grade 1 English willow ● Individually tested bats for a consistent 5-star performance ● Curved grain structure and weight ● Multi-piece can handle for enhanced comfort and feel

Original

● Made from high-quality grade 1 English willow ● Straighter grain structure ● Multi-piece cane handle for enhanced comfort and feel

Signature L.E

● Made from mid-range quality unbleached Grade 1 English willow ● Straighter grain structure ● Multi-piece cane handle for enhanced comfort and feel

909

● Made from mid-range quality unbleached Grade 1 English willow ● Predominantly straight grain structure ● Top-quality multi-piece cane handle for enhanced comfort and feel

808

● Made from high-quality unbleached Grade 2 English willow ● Mid-quality multi-piece cane handle for improved comfort and feel ● Minor blemishes with slightly colored edges

707/Signature

● Made from mid-range quality Grade 2 English willow ● Minor blemishes with slightly colored edges ● Medium-quality cane handle 606

● Made from top-quality Grade 3 English willow ● Minor blemishes with slightly colored edges ● Low-quality spring cane handle

404

● Made from mid-range quality bleached Grade 3 English willow ● Stains and knot marks on toes and edges ● Low-quality spring cane handle

303 ● Made from mid-range quality Grade 4 English willow ● Polycarbonate grain structure ● Standard toe guard

Conclusion

Now that you understand how willow grading affects bat quality, you can make better purchase decisions. However, even low-willow-grade GM cricket bats perform better than many top-shelf counterparts from other parts so regardless of your budget and style of play, you’re bound to land a top-quality product that can improve your overall batting performance. The higher the willow grading, the better the bat’s performance in terms of power, precision, and durability.

Resources:

● Gray-Nicolls Cricket Bats - AnSI ● Adidas Cricket Shoes - ARCHIE-WeSt ● New Balance Cricket Shoes - Arizona State University ● Masuri Cricket Helmets - Dromana Secondary College ● Adidas Cricket Bats - Omnitech Institute ● New Balance Cricket Bats - Pennsylvania State University ● Kookaburra Cricket Bats 2021 - QSEN