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200 Years of Cricket Bat Tradition… But What If It’s Wrong?

Woodywoodwood

Cricket Spectator
The Cricket Bat Myth: Is Willow Really the Best? For the past year I have researched Cricket bats for absolutely no reason other than curiosity.

For over 200 years, cricket bats have been made from English willow. But what if that’s just tradition—not the best choice? As a woodworker, I decided to test this theory myself. I built cricket bats from oak, bamboo, cedar, pine, and poplar—and the results might shock you!

In this video, I compare willow vs. alternative woods, explore the science behind bat materials, and ask the big question: Is it time for a change in cricket bat design?

Key Topics Covered:
Why English willow is considered the best wood for cricket bats
The key differences between cricket and baseball bats
My DIY cricket bat experiment—testing 5 different woods!
Player reactions & real-world feedback on non-willow bats
Sustainability, durability, and the future of cricket bat materials

What do you think? Should cricket move beyond willow, or is tradition too strong?
 

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