Custom-Made Cricket Bats in Cambridgeshire | WG Willow | City Of Peterborough , Peterborough , Peterbrough , Petersborough , Stanground , Paston , Werrington , Walton , Farcet , Orton Waterville , Marholm , Eye , Newborough , Alwalton , Castor , Peakirk , Glinton , Helpstone , Helpston , Whittlesey , Haddon , Yaxley , Upton , Water Newton , Deeping Saint James , Northborough , Soke Of Peterborough , Sutton , Morborne , Stilton , Elton , Ufford , Folksworth , Thorney , Southorpe , Market Deeping , Barnack , Wansford , Holme , Nassington , Thornhaugh , Crowland , Croyland , Tallington , Leverington , Warmington , Ramsey Saint Marys , Saint Marys , Connington , Barholm , Glatton , Tansor , Wittering , Fotheringhay , Lutton , Uffington , Langfoft , Langtoft , Greatford , Sawtry , Woodnewton , Baston , Ramsey , Cotterstock , Deeping Saint Nicholas , Wilsthorpe , Polebrook , Upwood , Gidding , Great Gidding , Hemington , Kings Cliffe , Huntingdonshire , Hunts , Luddington In The Brook , Luddington , Braceborough , Essendine , Thurlby , Oundle , Ryhall , Stamford , Gedney Hill , Godney Hill , Easton , Easton On The Hill , Tinwell , Collyweston , Armston , Glapthorn , Carlby , Wood Walton , Coppingford , Barnwell , Cowbit , Mansthorpe , Manthorpe , Murrow , Duddington , Twenty , Hamerton , Bury , Little Raveley , Raveley , Casterton , Thurning , Lound , Moulton Chapel , Winwick , Upton , Stoke Doyle , Ketton , Guyhirne , Guyhirn , Abbots Ripton , Abbotts Ripton , Wistow , Benefield , Blatherwick , Blatherwycke , Tickencote , March , Bulwick , Achurch , Pilton , Fenland District , Warboys , Careby , Alconbury , Barrowden , Wakerley , Doddington , Pickworth , Wadenhoe , Wimblington , Bourn , Bourne , Thorpe , Thorpe Waterville , Spalding , Chatteris , Bytham , Little Bytham , Wisbech Saint Mary , Laxton , South Luffenham , Deenethorpe , Leighton Bromswold , Leighton , Coldham , Edenham , Empingham , Morton , Old Weston , Little Stukeley , Stukeley , Deene , Great Stukeley , Huntingdon District , Titchmarsh , Hanthorpe , Molesworth , Old Hurst , Aldwincle , Aldwincle Saint Peter , Saint Peter Aldwinkle , North Luffenham , Creeton , Edith Weston , Woodhurst , Pinchbeck , Clipsham , Gorfield , Hacconby , Bythorn , Castle Bytham , Morcott , Grimsthorpe , Somersham , Moulton , Huntingdon , Huntingdon And Peterborough , Whaplode , Spaldwick , Hartford , Sutton Saint James , Thrapston , Harringworth , Counthorpe , Brigstock , Weston , Sudborough , Wyton , Dunsby , Exton , Weldon , Lowick , Rippingale , Swinstead , Brampton , Brampton Grange , Ellington , Seaton , Catworth , Islip , Cambridgeshire Fens , Isle Of Ely , Greetham , Colne , Easton , Durolipons , Godmanchester , Gretton , Tydd Saint Giles , Newton , Keyston , Kirby Underwood , Wisbech , Elm , Long Stow , Stow , Hemingford Grey , Hemingford , Swayfield , Hambleton , Upper Hambleton , Surfleet , Wing , Stanion , Hemingford Abbots , West Hemingford , Denfold , Denford , Corby , Bluntisham , Earith , District Of Rutland , Rutland , Rutlandshire , Graffham , Grafham , Manea , Walsoken , Emneth , Holbeach , Cottesmore , Liddington , Lyddington , Irnham , Mepal , Walton , West Walton , Upwell , Manton , Fleet , Sutton , Pointon , Gosberton , Hargrave , Holbeach Clough , Holbeach Plough , Woodford , Covington , Kimbolton , Holywell , Burton Coggles , South Witham , Uppingham , Twywell , Keisby , Preston , Buckden , Aslackby , Offord Cluny , Offord , Ringstead , Needingworth , Outwell , Tilbrook , Burley , Burley-on-the-Hill , Fen Stanton , Saint Ives , Caldecott , Grafton , Grafton Underwood , Little Oakley , Witcham , Marshland , Tydd Saint Mary , Tydd , Gedney , Rockingham , Holland , Parts Of Holland , Quadring , Raunds , North Witham , Ridlington , Birthorpe , Millthorpe , Over , Geddington , Market Overton , Brooke , Addington , Great Addington , Welney , Diddington , Offord D'Arcy , Lenton , Bitchfield , Folkingham , Long Sutton , Swavesey , Great Staughton , Newton , Cambridgeshire , County Of Cambridgeshire , Coveney , Oakham , Ingoldsby , Great Oakley , Great Easton , Walpole Saint Peter , Ashwell , Lutton , Cranford , Billingborough , Humby , Stanwick , Willingham , Stockerston , Stookerston , Hilton , Weekley , Fosdyke , Fossdyke , Dean , Upper Dean , Colsterworth , Pertenhall , Cottingham , Sutton Bridge , Little Paxton , Southoe , Great Paxton , Braunston , Bassingthorpe , Graveley , Langham , Haddenham , Swineshead , Walcot , Donington , Conington , Algarkirk , Edmondthorpe , Yelden , Allexton , Belton , Witchford , Sewstern , Nordelph , Walpole , Chelveston , Downham , Horbling , South Stoke , Boothby Pagnell , Little Staughton , Wilburton , Stainby , Wigtoft , Irthlingborough , Kettering , Finedon , Threckingham , Threekingham , Horninghold , Rushton , Walpole Saint Andrew , Melchbourne , Buckminster , Keysoe , Long Stanton , Elsworth , Hail Weston , Sutterton , Burton Latimer , Skillington , Higham Ferrers , Yelling , Swaton , Wymondham , Newton , Bicker , Knossington , Chetisham , Chettisham , Stretham , Drayton , Papworth Everard , Papworth , Terrington Saint John , Wilbarston , Riseley , Boxworth , Lolworth , Spanby , Ropsley , Littleport , Tilney Saint Lawrence , Tilney , Medbourne , Withcote , Haceby , Stoke Albany , Ely , Rushden , Ashley , Osbournby , Saint Neots , Isham , Eaton Socon , Great Ponton , Bar Hill , Croxton , Hallaton , East Norton , Loddington , Oakington , Helpringham , Eltisley , Kirton , Knotting , Coston , Swineshead , Sproxton , Glaisdale , Old Somerby , Somerby , Scredington , Bolnhurst , Cottenham , Frampton , Somerby , Slawston , Downham Market , Saxby , Aswarby , Pytchley , Little Barford , Rothwell , Rowell , Terrington Saint Clement , Terrington , Stapleford , Brampton Ash , Wymington , Desborough , Owston , Great Hale , Hale , Brandon Creek , Swarby , Dry Drayton , Tugby , Broughton , Colmworth , Denver , Burton Pedwardine , Stuntney , Freeby , Barraway , Barway , Orlingbury , Caxton , Saltby , Histon , Southery , Wyberton , Harrowden , Irchester , Wiggenhall Saint Peter , Wiggenhall , Souldrop , Stowbridge , Haydor , Heydour , Loddington , Goadby , Little Dalby , Gloostone , Wellingborough , Stonesby , Abbotsley , Welby , Hilgay , Watlington , North Midland , Prickwillow , Landbeach , Girton , Thurleigh , Heckington , Gransden , Great Gransden , Saint Germans , Wiggenhall Saint Germans , Harlaxton , Sharnbrook , Runcton Holme , Runcton , Madingley , Braybrooke , Borough Of Bedford , Skeffington , Clenchwarton , Skirbeck Quarter , Farndish , Hardwick , Croxton Kerrial , Croxton Keyrial , Hubbard Bridge , Hubberts Bridge , Grantham , Thorpe Langton , Tilton-on-the-Hill , Tilton , Denton , Roxton , Bletsoe , Hardwicke , Hardwick , Marefield , Waltham On The Wolds , Waltham , Bourn , Quarington , Quarrington , Silk Willoughby , Kelby , Kesteven , Parts Of Kesteven , Harrington , Waterbeach , Great Dalby , Waresley , Podington , Puddington , Bowden , Great Bowden , Howell , Fishtoft , Toft , East Langton , Wollaston , Asgarby , Doddington , Great Doddington , Amber Hill , Faxton , Wilden , Setchey , Setch , Milton , Lowesby , Long Stowe , Coton , East Cambridgeshire , King's Lynn , Lynn , Lynn Regis , Brothertoft , Twyford , North Bedfordshire District , Arthingworth , Belton , Skirbeck , Billesdon , Wilby , Knipton , Sleaford , West Dereham , Tur Langton , Barrowby , Stradsett , Market Harborough , Thorpe Satchville , Church Langton , Langton , Chadwell , Walgrave , Chesterton , Milton Ernest , Tempsford , Gamlingay , Comberton , Kingston , Strixton , Odell , Great Barford , Great Gonerby , Wicken , North Runcton , Illston , Illston On The Hill , Ewerby , Ancaster , Freiston , Frieston , Draughton , Pavenham , Boston , Cambridge , Goadby Marwood , Great Oxendon , Oxendon , Soham , Melton Mowbray , Eaton , Barkston , Syston , Shouldham Thorpe , Woolsthorpe , East Farndon , Farndon , Sywell , Oakley , Grendon , Everton , Bozeat , Wormegay , Scalford , Wereham , Holcot , Blunham , Eastwell , Barsby , Lubenham , South Kyme , Honington , Hatley , Hatley Saint George , Kelmarsh , Willington , Hungerton , Foxton , East Hatley , Carlton And Chellington , Carlton , Chellington , Harrold , Gaywood , Earls Barton , Stevington , Sedgebrook , Shouldham , Clapham , Eversden , Lamport , County Of Northamptonshire , Northamptonshire , Northants

Custom-Made Cricket Bats in Cambridgeshire: WG Willow's Specialist Approach

by Len Burgess

When it comes to cricket bats in Cambridgeshire, one name stands out in the world custom-made cricket bats – WG Willow.

Headed by Gary Sandford, an ex-minor county player with over 35 years of experience in bat making, WG Willow offers a personalised and specialist approach to creating custom-made cricket bats that cater to cricketers of all levels. 

But before we get into all the detail about Gary and WG Willow, what is a custom made cricke bat?

A custom-made cricket bat is tailored to a player's specific needs, allowing them to choose the bat's weight, balance, middle position, spine height, handle shape, and willow grade. This personalization ensures the bat feels right in the player's hands and enhances their performance on the field.

Right, carry on reading to get all the details about WG Willow.

The Expertise Behind WG Willow

Gary Sandford brings an unparalleled level of expertise to WG Willow. With his extensive background in cricket and bat making, he ensures that each bat is crafted to perfection.

His experience as a player and a craftsman gives him a unique perspective on what makes a great cricket bat. This deep understanding allows WG Willow to deliver custom-made cricket bats in Cambridgeshire that are tailored to the specific needs of each player, male or female, young or old, WG Willow can make the perfect bat for you.

Choosing the Best Willow for Your Bat

One of the key aspects of creating a high-quality cricket bat is the selection of willow.

WG Willow provides a range of options to suit different budgetary requirements, ensuring that every cricketer can find a bat that meets their needs.

Limited Willow (G1+)

Limited willow, equivalent to Grade 1+, represents the pinnacle of WG Willow's quality. This grade of willow is characterized by its straight, even grains, typically eight or more, indicating a dense and robust structure.

The weight is perfectly balanced, offering an excellent combination of lightness and power. The density of Limited willow ensures that the bat has superior ping and responsiveness, making it ideal for players who want the best performance when at the crease.

Windsor WG Willow cricket bat

The above image shows our Windsor limited edition range of bats, using on the best test and pro willow.

Test Willow (G1/2)

Test willow, corresponding to Grade 1/2, is another excellent choice for serious cricketers. This grade usually features six to eight straight grains, sometimes more.

The weight distribution is slightly heavier compared to Limited willow, providing more power without compromising too much on control. The density of Test willow ensures a solid feel and good durability, making it a popular choice for those who play at a high level but have a slightly lower budget than those opting for Limited willow - it really is an excellent choice.

Test willow from WG willow

You can view our Habsburg cricket bat selection here.

Pro Willow (G3)

Pro willow, or Grade 3, is suitable for those who seek a good balance between performance and affordability. This grade typically has fewer grains, around four to six, and may include minor blemishes or irregularities, which don't impact performance at all.

The weight and density are managed to ensure that the bat still offers good performance, making it a viable option for club cricketers and enthusiasts who need a reliable bat without the premium price tag.

Lancer WG Willow

You can see our Lancer cricket bats here.

Customisation Options to Suit Every Player

WG Willow prides itself on offering a wide range of customisation options to ensure that every player gets a bat that feels just right in their hands.

Here are some of the key custom features available:

Cricket Bat Weight

The weight of a cricket bat is crucial to a player's performance. WG Willow allows you to choose the exact weight that suits your playing style, whether you prefer a lighter bat for quick strokes and agility or a heavier one for powerful hits, with years of experience we know what works and how to make it the weight you want.

Cricket Bat Middle Position

The middle position of the bat affects how the bat performs during different types of shots. You can choose from a high, mid, or low middle position, depending on whether you prefer playing off the back foot, front foot, or a combination of both.

Cricket Bat Spine Height

The spine height of the bat influences its balance and power. WG Willow offers various spine heights to ensure that your bat has the right balance and power distribution for your playing style.

Cricket Bat Handle Shape and Grip

The handle shape and grip of the bat are also customisable. Whether you prefer a round or oval handle, or a specific type of grip, WG Willow can accommodate your preferences to enhance your comfort and control.

Toe Shape

The shape of the bat's toe can be tailored to suit your needs, whether you prefer a square, round, or semi-oval toe. This customisation can impact the bat's pickup and overall balance.

The Personalised Bat-Making Experience

At WG Willow, the process of creating a custom-made cricket bat in Cambridgeshire is a personalised experience from start to finish.

Gary and his team work closely with each player to understand their unique requirements and preferences. This collaborative approach ensures that every bat is crafted to meet the exact specifications of the player, resulting in your perfect bat.

Step-by-Step Customisation Process

  1. Consultation: The process begins with a detailed consultation where Gary and his team discuss your playing style, preferences, and specific requirements.

  2. Willow Selection: Based on your budget and performance needs, you can choose from the Limited, Test, or Pro willow grades. Each piece of willow is carefully inspected to ensure it meets WG Willow's high standards.

  3. Design and Crafting: The bat is then designed and crafted according to your specifications. Every aspect, from the weight and balance to the handle shape and grip, is tailored to suit your needs.

  4. Final Touches: Once the bat is shaped and assembled, it undergoes final quality checks and finishing touches to ensure it meets the highest standards of craftsmanship.

  5. Delivery: Your custom-made cricket bat is then delivered, ready to help you achieve your best performance on the field.

Conclusion: A Bat for Every Cricketer

WG Willow is dedicated to crafting hand-made cricket bats that cater to all shapes and sizes, weights, and middle positions. Their commitment to full customisation ensures that each bat meets the batter's personal requirements.

With a vast selection of Grade 1, 2, and 3 clefts of English willow available, WG Willow offers a bat for every budget and performance level.

By choosing WG Willow, you're not just buying a cricket bat; you're investing in a piece of craftsmanship that embodies your unique playing style and helps you perform at your best.

Discover the difference of a truly custom-made cricket bat in Cambridgeshire with WG Willow, where tradition meets innovation and every player's needs are met with precision and care.

For all cricket bat enquiries you can contact Gary on gary@wgwillow.com or WhatsApp him on +44 07722 963888 and he will answer all your questions.

Back to WG Willow Blog