Shopping for a new cricket Bats this 2024 season? Check out our ranking of the 5 best options, from premium picks to budget-friendly choices
1. DKP ICON – Best cricket bat overall for 2024
Rating 9.0
The Cricketer editor Huw Turbervill’s head was certainly turned by the DKP, saying: “The mega mega thick edges would’ve put me off initially, but it was like a dream, a Lamborghini, a fabulous middle that can’t fail.”
There wasn’t a single batter in the room who didn’t have DKP at the top of their list, helped perhaps by its status as a relatively unknown boutique brand.
2. TON NEMESIS III – Best big brand bat of 2024 and a close runner-up
Rating 8.1
Being described as ‘very similar to the DKP’ is no mean feat for a cricket brand and the TON Nemesis III proved incredibly popular.
While not the cheapest of bats tested on the day (check out the TON Gladiator for a more cost effective bat), the Nemesis III nonetheless wowed across the board.
Huw Turbervill was a big fan: “You could have a ton of fun with this. I’d back myself to get to three figures fairly quickly with this ton. Lovely.”
Nick Friend, rarely lost for words, simply said: “Really nice. Good bat. Enjoyed it.
3. KOOKABURRA STEALTH 5.1 – Best value bat of 2024
Rating 7.9
Trust” was the buzzword from Alex Tudor for Kookaburra’s offering on the 2024 test day, and the Stealth hit a lot of the right notes.
Tudor was full of praise for the good weight and balance of the Stealth, which left him full of trust that he didn’t have to overhit deliveries.The Kookaburra Ghost drew a similar knowing look from Alex Tudor – a “good trustworthy bat”, he said.
At £300 RRP it’s at a higher price point than its Stealth stablemate, but at 2lb 7oz it is the lightest bat tested on the day.
Tudor added: “It will only get better the more you use it.”
The younger testers from Reed’s School on the testing day notably enjoyed using it, resonating as a bat they could get hold of.
4. GRAY-NICOLLS SHOCKWAVE GEN 2.3 4 STAR – Best Gray-Nicolls bat of 2024
Rating 7.8
Nothing much changes: even when they add a bit of colour, as in the aptly-named case of the Shockwave, it is still unmistakeably a Gray-Nicolls bat. You’re shocked by the performance, perhaps, or by the light pick-up and the generous middle, but not by the iconic red strip down the splice.
So, there is nothing really that any reviewer could write to argue against the merits of such a respected, revered label, and there is nothing much contrary that those who tested the Shockwave would want to say in any case.
“The lime stickers make it look like some children’s sweets,” said Huw Turbervill. His eye was naturally drawn to the more traditional, toned-down Powerspot, with its retro feel. But it didn’t take him long to be converted.
I have to say, it slightly outperformed the Powerspot,” he admitted.
5. GUNN & MOORE DIAMOND DXM 909 – Best GM bat of 2024
Rating 7.8
For Gunn & Moore devotees, only a willow with that famous GM branding is going to be good enough to take out to the middle.
And of the GM cricket bats we tested this year, it was the Diamond 909 that came out on top – a 2lb 9oz blade that was favoured by none other than Ben Stokes in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup.
At the top-end cost wise, the bat also changed perceptions of magazine editor Huw Turbervill who said: “Mustn’t grumble about this performance, a few went nicely.”
Gunn & Moore have really gone up in my estimations with this bat, he added.