SS vs SG Cricket Bats
Comparing two high-end bats from two of the well-known cricket equipment manufacturers on the planet.
A. SG Hi-Score Xtreme English Willow Cricket Bat
Price
The SG Hi-Score Xtreme bat costs around ₹39,999. It may be expensive but it is worth the price. Cheaper bats are used for children’s games. As the bat’s price increases, it usually indicates that the user is more mature.
Materials
This specific type of cricket bat is made of Grade 1 English willow, sounding off a distinct ‘knock’ when hit by a cricket ball in its ‘sweet spot’ which is at the centre. It’s there mainly because the swell is positioned at the middle of the bat for precise hitting.
Measurement
For a full-size bat (which is recommended if your height is six feet and above), the bat’s overall length is 876 mm, with the handle measuring 318 mm and the blade measuring 559 mm. The spine ends in the middle of the blade making the bat best suited for slow- to medium-paced bowling. The handle is in a circular shape and has a short stump at the bottom, presumably so that you won’t let go of it when swinging in full force; it also tells you where the end of the handle is without having to look at the handle itself.
Lower range SG bats often do no follow the prescribed measurements: incorrect edge dimensions, narrower face, and a swell that is not evenly distributed on the back of the bat.
Higher range SG bats need to be followed because they follow certain specifications often set by professional players themselves, and also because these types of bats are used in the professional setting.
Handling
SG bats tend to be suited for slow- to medium-pace bowling, making them suited for stroking or precision hitting as opposed to strong hitting. Gripping the handle can be a little difficult because it is round; this tends to not give a definite ‘profile’ for you to hold as opposed to an oval-shaped one.
SG bats have all-around balance. The entire weight is focused in the middle of the bat, making for excellent handling capabilities. Holding the bat with a single hand doesn’t put a too much tress on it, emphasizing the balance that it boasts.
Regardless whether the bat is low or high grade, this is SG’s trademark - bats that are balanced and are made for precision strikes.
Availability
Almost all SG bats are readily available in online shopping websites and in-store. High-end bats have to often be ordered in advance given that they are manufactured to certain specifics and standards.
Some bats that are delivered from overseas have a shipping fee which is often at ₹65 or above, depending on the price of the bat.
Popularity
The SG brand of cricket bats is popular mostly among Indian players. Because of it being produced and marketed mainly in India, the exposure it gets there is higher than other brands being imported into the country. And because most Asian players use this brand, it is also popular in the region that other brands.
There are numerous professional players, both retired and active, that use SG cricket bats. Some of the famous brand endorsers are Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Rahul Dravid, and Virender Sehwag.
Below is a full list of players that have used/use/promote SG bats:
- Shane Watson
- Younis Khan
- Hardik Pandya
- Shakib Al Hasan
- Liton Das
- Parthiv Patel
- Rishabh Pant
- Prithvi Shaw
- Vinay Kumar
- Krunal Pandya
- Mohammed Shami
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Rashid Khan
- KL Rahul
Cons
As mentioned above, some SG bats fail to meet the prescribed dimensions that international cricket laws state. Regardless of the bat is for commercial use or for non-professional games, the dimensions of a bat should be strictly followed for consistency.
Some sellers/advertisements of the bats also often list it as being made of Kashmir or English willow even though it isn’t. Other than misleading, it gives the buyer a false sense of assurance.
B. SS Ton Player Edition
Price
The SS Ton Player Edition costs around ₹ 27,000. It may be expensive but rest assured that the price is definitely justified. The price is also high because this type of bat is made according to professional players’ specifications.
Materials
Grade 1, hand-picked English willow is used to create this type of bat. It is lightweight yet sturdy and is of the highest grade of wood used in making cricket bats. The bat usually has seven to ten grains, showing that it is indeed made of high-grade materials. The handle is a 12-piece cane handle with cork linings to help ensure maximum transfer of swing to the cricket ball.
Measurement
The bat’s edge measures between 36mm to 40mm and also features a flat face. Because the swell is located near the toe, the ‘sweet spot’ is from the mid to the low area of the bat. The bat features very minimal concaving and feels unusually light for full-face profiling.
Handling
The bat usually weighs in around 1.2kg, making it incredibly light for an all-rounder-type-catered bat. Because of the thicker edges, full-face profiling, and a large ‘sweet spot,’ strength isn’t sacrificed for precision. All-rounders prefer bats that weigh around 1.1kg but using this bat, you will barely feel the difference.
Availability
Owning one of these bats may seem a bit difficult since they are manufactured in a few batches. Even when newly delivered to a store or advertised in an online shopping website, stocks ran out right away because they are one of the most bought types. If you want to own one, it is highly recommended that you place an order for the bat.
Popularity
As mentioned, the bat is very popular with buyers because, despite the price, it is one of the best performing bats in the market. Taking into account that it is also created to player specifications, buyers will look to own one immediately especially if the player they idolize has a bat made to his specs.
There are also some professional players who use the SS Ton bat during their games. Some of them are Ikram Ali Khil of Afghanistan, Moeen Ali of England, and Ravindra Jadeja of India.
Cons
The only downside of the bat is that it’s not produced in large quantities. This means that when stocks run out (and they usually do), those who want to buy will have to wait long periods before one is for sale. Even then, there is no assurance that you will be the owner of it since you will definitely have plenty of competition.
C. Final Comparison
Surprisingly, the cheaper bat is the better choice between the two. Both are made of high-grade English Willow, both are used in professional matches, both are quality bats. However, the SS bat is a lot cheaper than its SG counterpart, making it a more practical choice.