Choosing a cricket bat in 2026 has never been more exciting — or more overwhelming. With Grade 1 English willow in abundance, profiles getting bolder, and pickup weights becoming just as important as scale weight, the question isn’t just “which bat is best?” — it’s “which bat is best for how I play?”
At CricCounty — based inside High Performance Cricket, Ilford — we’ve hand-selected bats across three distinct ranges: the artisan craftsmanship of Salix, the power-first engineering of BAS, and our own CricCounty Exclusives built for the UK club cricketer. Here’s the honest breakdown.
The power vs. pickup debate — why it matters more than ever
A bat’s scale weight tells you how much it weighs on a set of scales. Its pickup weight tells you how it feels in your hands at the crease — and the two are often very different. A 2lb 9oz bat with a low midrib and scooped back can feel a full grade lighter than its number suggests. Conversely, a “light” bat with a thick spine and high middle can drag on your backlift.
In 2026, the smartest bat makers — particularly Salix with their NEOCORE line — are now selling on pickup weight rather than scale weight. It’s a shift that better reflects what actually matters: how freely you can swing, how quickly you can react, and whether your bat feels like an extension of your game or a dead weight.
With that in mind, here’s how the three ranges at CricCounty’s cricket bat collection stack up.
Salix
Salix AJK — The Power Player’s Weapon
Maximum edge, maximum presence. Built for players who want to dominate.
The AJK sits at the top of Salix’s power range and it announces itself immediately. Biggest edge profile in the entire Salix lineup, semi-flat pressing, deep contemporary bow — this is a bat designed for batters who score through aggression rather than placement. The large hitting zone rewards front-foot authority and those who love to get under the ball.
Each AJK is shaped by hand in Salix’s Somerset workshop from the finest Grade 1 English willow, and you can feel the individual care in every blade. No two are identical — which is precisely the point. It’s a bat that earns its place in any serious kit bag.
Sweet spot: Mid-to-low Profile: Large/bold Pickup: Substantial Willow: Grade 1 English
Best for: Top-order batters who want boundary-hitting authority and don’t mind a fuller feel in hand.
Salix
Salix AIR — The Pickup King
The lightest, most streamlined bat in the Salix range. Timing is everything.
If the AJK is built for power, the AIR is built for purity. Salix describe it as the lightest and most streamlined bat in their range — and with a mid-to-high sweet spot, semi-flat face, and outstanding manoeuvrability, it’s a joy for technically sound batters who want the ball to do the work. Timing players, placement specialists, and top-order stylists will feel immediately at home.
The AIR’s effortless pickup is its defining quality. Backlift feels natural, the bat moves through the arc without effort, and the semi-flat face offers a wider, more stable striking surface than it might appear. It’s no coincidence this is one of the most popular Salix models stocked at CricCounty.
Sweet spot: Mid-to-high Profile: Streamlined Pickup: Ultra-light Face: Semi-flat
Best for: Batters who play with finesse and want a bat that responds to timing rather than brute force.
BAS
BAS Player Edition — International-Grade, Club-Accessible Price
Developed with Sachin Tendulkar. Used at Test level. Available at CricCounty.
BAS (Beat All Sports) have been making waves in the UK cricket market — and the Player Edition is their flagship statement. Handmade from Grade A lightweight English willow, full profile, mid-blade sweet spot, and a premium semi-oval cane handle for exceptional feel through the bat — this is a willow built for all-format cricket. Suited to both front and back foot play, it’s a genuinely versatile blade.
BAS’s heritage speaks for itself: the Player Edition was developed in conjunction with cricketing royalty and used by international batsmen at the highest level. At a price point that doesn’t require a county contract, it’s one of the best value propositions in the CricCounty bat range.
Sweet spot: Mid-blade Profile: Full Pickup: Professional balance Handle: Premium semi-oval
Best for: All-rounders and middle-order batters who need a reliable, high-performing bat across formats. — View the BAS range at CricCounty
BAS
BAS Blaster — Aggressive T20 Power
Grade 1 English willow. 6–10 straight grains. Built to hit boundaries.
The name leaves nothing to interpretation. The BAS Blaster is a hard-pressed, traditionally shaped Grade 1 English willow bat with 6–10 straight grains, a Singapore cane handle with a 3-way cork insert for shock absorption, and a flat toe for clean ground strokes. It’s not trying to be subtle — it’s trying to clear the rope.
For club cricketers playing T20 leagues or afternoon limited-overs cricket, the Blaster delivers serious hitting power without requiring serious investment. The traditional round handle shape also makes it naturally comfortable for a wide range of grip styles.
Grains: 6–10 straight Handle: Singapore cane Toe: Flat Cover: Full-length padded
Best for: Explosive lower-order batters or T20 specialists who want raw hitting power at an accessible price.
CricCounty Exclusive
CricCounty Powerspot — Heritage Meets Modern Performance
Vintage character. Contemporary construction. A CricCounty original.
The Powerspot is CricCounty’s own exclusive — a bat that pays homage to the cricket of the 1980s with a stripped-back decal design, while hiding genuinely modern performance underneath. The craftsmanship is exquisite, the willow selection careful, and the overall playing feel is that of a bat with real character rather than a factory clone.
It’s a statement bat for batters who want something different in the bag — a conversation piece and a performer in equal measure. Available exclusively through CricCounty, you won’t find this one anywhere else on the UK market.
Design: Vintage-inspired Availability: CricCounty exclusive Format: All-format club play
Best for: Club cricketers who want a distinctive, well-made bat with genuine character — and something uniquely their own.
Quick comparison — which bat suits your game?
| Bat | Power | Pickup | Sweet spot | Best format |
| Salix AJK | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | Mid-low | All / T20 power |
| Salix AIR | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | Mid-high | All / Test style |
| BAS Player Edition | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Mid | All formats |
| BAS Blaster | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | Mid-low | T20 / limited overs |
| CricCounty Powerspot | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | Mid | All formats |
The bottom line: power or pickup?
There’s no universal answer — and any bat seller who tells you otherwise isn’t listening. The right bat depends on your role in the team, your scoring style, and the surfaces you play on. A top-order stroke-maker playing on good pitches wants a bat that responds to timing. A middle-order hitter in T20 cricket wants something that does the work for them.
What we can tell you is that all five bats featured above are hand-selected by the CricCounty team, genuinely tested, and available for next-day delivery across the UK. If you’re in London, you’re also welcome to come in, pick them up, and feel the difference yourself — there’s no substitute for holding a bat before you buy.
Visit CricCounty in Ilford
Unit D, 43, Inside High Performance Cricket, 49 Fowler Rd, Ilford, London, IG6 3FF
Expert bat selection · Next-day UK delivery · Pay with Klarna & PayPal · Free delivery on orders over £99
Ready to find your perfect 2026 cricket bat?
Browse the full range online — or visit us in Ilford for hands-on expert advice.
