We got the chance to test the new Gray Nics Cricket Bats for 2024 in our nets. In this video, Rich and Neil put the Shockwave, Tempesta, Gem, and Powerspot bats through their paces and give you their honest opinion on each!
Cricket Bats
Gray-Nicolls Cricket Bats 2024 Cricket Bat Range Review
For many years Gray-Nicolls have been producing great cricket bat ranges and their 2024 bats are no different. Once again, we have been given the chance to test the bats and review them honestly to help you make an informed decision with your next bat purchase.
This year’s Gray-Nicolls cricket bat range can be split into three families: Gem, Shockwave, and Tempesta with the Classic range, a consistent feature.
In this blog, we will go through each bat and provide you with all the details you need…
Who are Gray-Nicolls?
Gray-Nicolls is a brand steeped in history, making cricket bats for over 150 years. All the bats are hand-crafted in their factories from willow produced from trees the company plants.
Gray-Nicolls cricket bats have been used by some of the greatest players throughout history, including Sir Alastair Cook and Brian Lara, and now by Babar Azam and Kane Williamson.
Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.0 Cricket bat
The Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.0 is the signature bat of the Shockwave range and has classic black colourways with a unique sticker design on the back of the bat.
The Shockwave is a name that will be familiar to long-term fans of the Gray-Nicolls family, and it will likely be used by Harry Brook in England’s winter tour of India.
Technical Specs
- Full Profile with large hitting zone
- Mid Sweet Spot
- Lightweight Pick up
- Semi Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- New Super Link Pro Grip
Performance review – in the nets
Both Neil and Richard enjoyed using the Shockwave 2.0 bat and found it well-balanced and a solid bat. Neil found he got great value for his shots but only when he played more controlled shots rather than over-aggressively. This value comes from the big profile through the centre.
Hinders enjoyed the consistency and forgiveness across the whole blade meaning even when he did not hit the middle of the bat (which is rare), it still travelled.
Overall, they both agreed it was the stable option of the range.
What players will it suit?
Everyone. That is the simple takeaway from the performance review as both batters enjoyed their use of the Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.0 tremendously.
Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.1 Cricket Bat
There is no doubt you will stand out when you stride to the crease with the pink Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.1. The 5 Star Lite option was designed to the exact specifications Ollie Pope requested and comes fitted with a pink grip. In terms of the Players, 5 Star, and 300 options, this bat has the same specifications as the Shockwave 2.0.
Technical Specs
- Large Hitting Area with mid-blade sweet spot
- Powercurve - Semi Rounded Face for increased profile and optimum ping
- Mid blade balance point creates lightweight pick up on full profile bat
- Off set edge – enlarges sweet spot
- Semi Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- Superlink Pro Grip
Performance review – in the nets
The first noticeable feature of the Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.1 was the lighter pick-up which did alter the balance when using it.
Hinders noticed the shorter blade length from the other end which means it is recognisable in look as well as feel.
It was, of course, the first time Neil had been bowled in a bat testing, but this was born out of a feeling he had that the lighter pick-up encourages you to play more aggressively on the front foot.
The longer handle did take some time to adjust to for Neil, who would traditionally hold his bat in the centre but adjusted by the end so do not be put off.
For both batters it was the back foot where the bat came into its own, it gave them both lots of time to comfortably shift back and play.
What players will it suit?
Both players felt the Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.1 was a good bat, like with all the shorter blades we have tried in 2024, it takes a bit of time to get used to but that is only because we are not used to it.
More and more professional players are going down the shorter blade route so it might be something to consider.
Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.3 Cricket Bat
The final member of the 2024 Gray-Nicolls Shockwave family is the green 2.3 which was used by new Pakistan test captain Shan Masood and wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan in Australia for their recent test series.
Technical Specs
- Full Length Bow
- Large hitting area with mid blade sweet spot.
- Powercurve - Semi Rounded Face for increased profile and optimum ping.
- Mid blade balance point creates lightweight pick up on full profile bat
- Off set edge – enlarges sweet spot.
- Semi Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- Superlink Pro Grip - High performance maximum grip
Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.0 Cricket Bat
The Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.0 is the main bat in this family and has been inspired by Babar Azam and will be used by the likes of Zak Crawley and Jamie Smith. The stickers are designed with metallic silvers and blues which contribute to a striking bat design.
Technical Specs
- Full Profile and Big Edges
- Mid to Low Swell Middle
- Weight distribution
- Large Edges
- Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- Superlink Pro Grip
Performance review – in the nets
As soon as Neil and Rich had got over the name (although Neil is still not convinced) they both enjoyed the feeling of a bit more wood behind the ball with the Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.0 comapred to otehr options in the range. This is Gray-Nicolls’ most popular shape bat, and we could see why as it played nicely.
The pickup was slightly heavier and less balanced than others in the range, in our opinion, but that may say more about how light the other bats are. This does mean it pings off the bat and there is slightly more power in our shots.
Hinders enjoyed the pick-up more than Neil because he found it was closer to his centre of gravity. We would suggest coming into the store to check this because it will also be about personal preference.
What players will it suit?
Well, it’s Gray-Nicolls most popular shape and there is a reason for that. If you choose this profile of Tempesta then you’ll be rewarded with a nice bat, with a big middle and the potential to hit the ball very hard.
Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.1 Cricket Bat
Much like the Shockwave 2.1, the only difference between this and the 1.0 is the colourways, however, the 5 Star Lite is another of the shorter blades. Ollie Pope may have shaped the design of the Shockwave 2.1 but he will be using the 5 Star Lite blue Tempesta 1.1 when he next bats. This means it also fits his specifications which are a shorter blade and longer handle so we decided not to test this bat.
Technical Specs
- Even – Low Bow
- Large hitting area with mid to low sweet spot
- Powercurve - Semi Rounded for increased profile and optimum ping
- Lower balance point to generate power and bat speed
- Large edges to match the spine
- Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.3 Cricket Bat
This green Tempesta 1.3 allows Babar Azam to continue to use a bat that matches the colour of his Pakistan kit. It is the same profile as the Gray-Nicolls Tempesta 1.0 with the only difference being the colourways.
Technical Specs
- Full Profile and Big Edges
- Mid to Low Swell Middle
- Weight distribution
- Large Edges
- Square Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- Superlink Pro Grip
Gray-Nicolls Gem 2.0 Cricket Bat
Building upon the success of last year’s Gem 1.1, Gray-Nicolls have made some small adaptations for this season. The main changes are to the colour and taking input from international players, such as Sophia Dunkley, Tammy Beaumont, and Alice Capsey, who used the Gray-Nicolls Gem 1.1.
Technical Specs
- Mid Sweet Spot
- Large Middle
- Duck Billed Toe
- Lightweight Pick Up
- Super Short Handle
- Super Link Grip
Performance Review – in the nets
The Gray-Nicolls Gem 2.0 was Neil’s favourite bat of the 2024 range which is as high a compliment as he can pay. It is slightly lighter in pick-up than the rest of the range which is a characteristic that Neil tends to favour.
This was another of the shorter blade options in the range and therefore it had a very similar pick up to the Gray-Nicolls Shockwave 2.1. It took Neil less time to get used to the Gray-Nicolls Gem 2.0 and with the condensed wood, you can hit it powerfully.
What players will it suit?
Well, the Gem range is used by a handful of the top female international players so it will undoubtedly suit women’s and girls’ cricketers but junior players or those moving into adult bats will benefit from the lighter feel.
As Neil and Hinders both showed though is that it is a bat for everyone to use and you’ll get a bat with a beautiful pickup if you do choose the Gray-Nicolls Gem 2.0.
Gray-Nicolls Gem 1.1 Cricket Bat
The Gray-Nicolls Gem range was designed to suit female and youth players by making a bat with a lighter pickup but maintaining maximum power. As mentioned above, they saw instant success as it was used by several England stars in what was a busy Ashes summer.
As we had put the Gray-Nicolls Gem 2.0 to the test, we decided not to test the Gem 1.1.
Technical Specs
- Even – Mid Bow
- Large Middle profile with Duck Bill Shape into Toe
- Ultra Lightweight Pick Up
- Square Toe
- Super Short Handle
- Traction Grip - maximum grip
Gray-Nicolls Classic Cricket Bat Range
The Gray-Nicolls Classic Bat range are the bats that appear every year and remain a constant so they do not need much introduction. These bats are the Pro Performance, Players, Prestige, Select, and Ultimate.
The most recognisable might be the Gray-Nicolls Players as it was used by Alastair Cook for much of his international career. Within the Players family itself, you will find a bat that suits your needs.
Technical Specs
- Mid Blade Profile
- Rounded Face
- Mid to High Balance Point
- Rounded Toe
- Semi Oval Handle
- Zig Zag Grip
Gray-Nicolls Powerspot Cricket Bat
The iconic Gray-Nicolls Powerspot returns to the range for 2024 and is sure to bring back some memories for the many you will have used it in the past. Most people will immediately think of the elegant David Gower wielding the Powerspot.
Technical Specs
- Stripped back look to honour original
- Low Sweet Spot – retro shape
- Rounded Face
- Lightweight Pick Up
- Round Toe
- New super link Grip
Performance review – in the nets
Hinders was buzzing to be reunited with the Gray-Nicolls Powerspot, it was after all his second bat growing up. It delivered on the excitement and was his favourite bat from the 2024 range.
Both loved the bat and enjoyed using it as it was a modern interpretation of the original bat. As Neil put it: “Gray-Nicolls have done justice to the stickers.”
The only thing to note is that the stickers are an ode to David Gower’s Powerspot which had a gold spot rather than Micheal Atherton’s blue spot which was a point of contention for Neil.
What players will it suit?
It will suit everyone as it is a classic bat which has been brought back because it was a great bat that was exceedingly popular.
There will be many people who used this bat in the past and will hope to reminisce by purchasing this bat. We would highly recommend this because it will serve you well!
Summary
It is very hard to go wrong with a Gray-Nicolls cricket bat and the 2024 range is no different. It is important to mention the Gray-Nicolls classic range which features every year so those who have a familiarity with the brand will know them well.
While the two main ranges, Shockwave and Tempesta, are new in profile and in colour, there is a shape or size to fit all preferences. Whether you are inspired by Ollie Pope’s shorter blade or back Babar Azam and Zak Crawley’s classic profile, Gray-Nicolls have you covered.
We would thoroughly recommend going to a cricket shop and picking each bat up, but we hope if you do order online that we have provided as much detail as possible.
Thanks again to Gray-Nicolls for supplying the bats for us to test in our nets and good luck choosing your next Gray-Nicolls bat.
