For 150 years, cricket has evolved, and so too have the tools of the Gray-Nicolls trade. Players are stronger, bowling speeds are higher, and the demands on performance are greater than ever before. At the same time, English willow is a finite resource. The future of bat making lies in balancing power, sustainability and consistency without losing the unmistakable soul of a handmade bat.
That balance has driven the next chapter of Gray-Nicolls innovation.
At the heart of this evolution is NEOCORE. Developed after years of research and testing, NEOCORE reimagines how a bat is constructed while preserving the fundamentals that matter most to players. Featuring a new patented pinned handle technique and internal cored scoop, NEOCORE has made clefts that were previously too heavy useable, and given members of the public access to bat profiles previously only accessible to the pros.
Crucially, this is an innovation guided by bat makers, not technology alone. NEOCORE bats are still shaped, pressed and finished by hand in Robertsbridge and in our factories around the globe. The eye, experience and judgement of the Master Bat Maker remain central to the process. Technology supports the craft, it does not replace it.
Lamination technology is not new to cricket bats, but Gray-Nicolls is at the forefront of relaunching the concept. Faced with increasing pressure on English willow supplies, Gray-Nicolls were pioneers in developing laminated solutions to improve yield without compromising quality.
What has changed is the precision. Modern lamination allows multiple pieces of premium willow to be combined in a way that strengthens the bat internally, enhances durability and improves consistency across production. Each bat still begins with English willow grown, harvested and processed under Gray-Nicolls’ control. The difference is how that willow is now engineered to perform at the highest level.
The future of bat making is not about making bats bigger. Regulations have drawn clear boundaries. Instead, it is about making bats smarter. Optimising efficiency and while delivering confidence shot after shot.
As cricket looks ahead, Gray-Nicolls continues to do what it has always done. Respect the past and invest in the future.
