What are the types of willow used to make Cricket Bats?
There are many wood types that are used in the manufacturing of cricket bats, but the most preferred wood type that is used is the willow. If you are a cricket enthusiast, you must already be knowing that there are two types of willows used commonly for manufacturing cricket bats — the White Willow (English Willow) and the Kashmir Willow. Willow is the only wood type that can provide the strength and compression needed for a cricket bat.
English willow is grown in England whereas the Kashmir Willow is grown in the areas of Kashmir. English willows are especially grown for manufacturing cricket bats.
The visible difference by which you can easily differentiate a white willow and Kashmir willow bats is their color. White willows are whiter in color, whereas the Kashmir willows are brownish in color. Also, the grain density of White willows is higher than Kashmir willow.
English willow are the finest woods that can be used to make cricket bats. They are of the best quality and give you perfect result.
Kashmir willow bats are not as popular as While willow cricket bats but some of them are of international standards and have been used by many international players. These bats are heavier than the White willow bats because the Kashmir willow which is used as a raw material is heavy.
The willow grade differences in English willow cricket bats
The willow grade differences determine the quality of the willow. The English willow bats are classified into grades based on their quality:
Grade 1 (A) + English willow:
The best willow which the player can buy is Grade 1 (A) + willow. The blade of the bat is normally unbleached with 8–12 grains. It is also blemished free to some extent. The English willow cricket bat Grade 1 is designed for professional cricket players.
Grade 1 (A) English willow:
The grade 1 (A) English willow is high quality unbleached and naturally dried. It is with slightly broader grain and with no blemishes.
Grade 2 English willow:
In grade 2 English willow clefts, the grains are irregular and are minor blemished. The English willow bat with grade 2 is unbleached and has red-wood on the edges.
Grade 3 English willow:
The grade three English willow is an unbleached willow that comes with a natural drying process. The willow is provided with 4–5 grains with irregular grain profiling. Blemishes observe on the front of the bat. The bat with grade 3 English willow is for intermediate players of the cricket.
Grade 4 English willow:
The grade 4 English willow is covered with protective facing and also sold as non-oil. The grains are limited to only 3–4 and are also irregular.
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