Bats

[DaveMorton]

From the Fox Sports team in Oz, historic bats, including a Sykes used by Bradman - Horbury, Wakefield.

 

[Hawke]

There is a very good video about the Horbury firm on You Tube following the tree to the bat.

 

[DaveMorton]

I can't find that video, Hawke. Can you provide the link?

 

[Newby]

I couldn't find it either, one on Kippax bats, slightly less historic. I always enjoyed spending half an hour watching the chap making the bats during the Headingley Tests.

 

[Donnylad]

Best bat I ever had was made by Bernie Facer of Buckden - Double B bats - a small local company. Second best from Hunts County Bats from their little factory/shop in town. Might still have the BB bat in my old cricket bag in the loft.

 

[Hawke]

Am I imagining this? Couldn't find it either....... No I did watch something on those lines

 

[DaveMorton]

Yes, the young Gray-Nicolls maker is generally at Scarborough, too. Fascinating to watch his skill. Best bat I ever had was a Gray-Nicolls; second best, a Kippax.

In my early days in Manchester, I used to buy the Tyldesley & Holbrook own brand from their shop in Deansgate, where you got served and advised by Cyril Washbrook. He must have put hundreds of customers off! T&H bats were okay, and cheap, but they always seemed very dark in colour. Just round the corner, literally 100 yards away, there was Cooke Sports, owned by RMO Cooke, a well known league pro who got taken on by Essex.

https://flic.kr/p/2mnQKHn