£250-£350: BROWSE AND BUY

NEW BALANCE TC500 MAX

"Testers were particularly attracted to the middle-positioned sweet spot"

Initial impression: 7.8
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 7.1
Performance: 7.9

RRP: £250

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 35mm

NEW BALANCE DC500 MAX

Used by Australian great, Steve Smith, when he brought up his 36th Test century against Sri Lanka

Initial impression: 6.8
Build quality: 7.4
Pick-up/feel: 7.2
Performance: 7.4

RRP: £250

Weight: 2lb 1oz

Edges: 34mm

KOOKABURRA NICKEL 4.1

It proved to be a popular bat, one student tester went as far as to say that they "loved" the bat

Initial impression: 8.2
Build quality: 8.2
Pick-up/feel: 8.6
Performance: 8.6

RRP: £275

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

NEWBERY KUDOS G4

"Consistent with the design and look, this bat is ideal for modern players looking to refine their game"

Initial impression: 8.0
Build quality: 7.8
Pick-up/feel: 8.3
Performance: 8.0

RRP: £280

Weight: 2lb 8oz

Edges: 35mm

CHASE AI0 PLAYERS

"It has a lovely middle. It just pings off and it’s good even when you don’t hit the sweet spot."

Initial impression: 6.7
Build quality: 6.5
Pick-up/feel: 6.5
Performance: 6.8

RRP: £310

Weight: 2lb 12oz

Edges: 32mm

NEW BALANCE HERITAGE 600

"There is no greater compliment, in terms of solidity and reliability, than James Coyne naming Chris Woakes as this bat's cricketer equivalent"

Initial impression: 7.9
Build quality: 8.3
Pick-up/feel: 7.9
Performance: 8.4

RRP: £320

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

GRAY NICOLLS CLASSIC PRESTIGE

“That’s a top bat – the best I’ve used.”

Initial impression: 8.3
Build quality: 8.8
Pick-up/feel: 8.7
Performance: 8.7

RRP: £350

Weight: 2lb 9oz

Edges: 35mm

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