How important is it to have an up-to-date bat?

[hazsa19]

I've had my current Kookaburra for at least seven years. It was £150+ at the time so it was decent enough.

Every year I do the sanding/ oiling/ protective tape routine. But, this year i'll be playing more regularly than ever due to work and having more free time at the weekends.

Is it worth getting a new bat? Have they improved markedly in the last seven years? Will I notice a difference?

Cheers

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Does the bat still feel good to you, weight & pickup wise? Does it still have a middle? If so, then no need to replace it.

Generally, I find (at least from personal experience) that it's the person holding the handle who forms the deficient end of the partnership between batsman and bat. I'd probably find more success if I replaced the former with a blind Bolivian unicyclist's jockstrap; regardless of the bat.

 

[Hurricane]

I have no idea if bats have improved in the last 7 years. Perhaps someone else can answer. I just want to make a post about bats.

Once in a career you come across the perfect bat and it does allow you to bat better. I was lent a bat when I was 18 that had the best middle in the world. if you touched the ball with a half a swing of the bat it went for four. IT allowed me to play more techniquely correctly and just focus on timing the ball rather than over hitting it. So yep the perfect bat can make a difference to your game. The average bat won't do anything for you - it is up to you to wield it.