We see if Slazenger's new cricket bats can improve the fortunes of our Sky Sports team at Headingley.
We see if Slazenger's new cricket bats can improve the fortunes of our Sky Sports team at Headingley
Although the weather would make you think otherwise, a huge summer of cricket is underway and the upcoming Champions trophy and Ashes is sure to have everyone reaching for their whites and heading out for a game of cricket.
Our very own Sky Sports team will also be challenging some local rivals around Leeds during this summer, so we sent a crack unit of our best batsmen down to Headingley to test out some of the new Slazenger 2013 range.
Slazenger have gone back in time with a retro Pro Tour range conjuring up images of the likes of Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar who used the V12 bat back in the day.
But Technology is the key with their regular bats sporting two new innovations to the V range - being the TAS edge technology and HEX handle ensuring these bats are more than just your average slice of willow.
But how will our boys get on with all this technology in the palms of their hands? Would it help them bat like Matt Prior or Eoin Morgan? Let's find out what they thought of the three new Slazenger offerings...
V100 Pro
Dave: An impressive piece of willow with a light pick-up but punchy middle. This bat seemed particularly forgiving on off-centre shots.
Rob: My favourite of the three Slazenger bats we tested. A nice low middle for driving the ball but still plenty of punch for cutters and pullers.
Nick: This bat does the job perfectly well and the 'Torsioned and Sprung (TAS) technology' was even in evidence when defensive pushes flew off the middle.
V600 Ultra
Dave: The most visually striking of the three bats on show, with a massive profile and huge edges. The ball flies off the middle, but while others loved this blade I found the pick-up a touch heavy for me.
Rob: There is no denying the power in this bat but it's not quite as good an all-rounder as the V100 Pro. Certainly one to look at if you play plenty of limited overs cricket.
Nick: A chunky piece of wood with plenty not only in the middle but on the edges, meaning it works pretty well for those of us who perhaps don't find the sweet spot with every cover drive.
V1200 Select
Dave: My favourite bat of the three, despite being more of a budget model. I'm not normally a fan of bats with fancy backs, but this dual-spine blade has an extraordinary pick-up and, with a long, forgiving middle and great price, would make an ideal choice for a club kitbag.
Rob: Surprisingly for more of a budget offering the V1200 had a nice pick-up and you get good value for your shots. Perfect for more of a part-time player.
Nick: While not my favourite bat of the three, it was a perfectly good blade and at the price, a more than decent bit of kit for the cricketer on a budget.
Pads and Gloves
We all agreed that the gloves were soft and comfortable and not too bulky - giving a good feel on the bat handle. They were also lightweight but not lacking in protection.
All of the pads we tested felt lightweight and easy to run in, while at the same time offering the desired protection and comfortable strapping.
Conclusion
We were all impressed by Slazenger's 2013 range and would have no hesitation in recommending any of the gear we tested out at Headingley's Indoor Cricket School. All of the bats had their own identity and are very good value for money while the gloves and pads did the job perfectly well.
We used the V600 Ultra Bat (£150.00), V100 TAS Pro (£275.00) and V1200 HEX Select (£125.00) for more information go to http://www.slazenger.com/cricket-team.html
