SS Gladiator English Willow Cricket Bat – Short Handle

The SS Gladiator English Willow Cricket Bat – Short Handle is a premium player-level bat made for serious cricketers seeking powerful rebound, a broad hitting area and a modern, well-balanced profile. The current SS Gladiator uses refined Player Grade+ English Willow, selected to deliver high-level performance with the natural feel and response expected from premium English willow.

Player Grade+ English Willow

SS specifies Player Grade+ willow for the current Gladiator. The willow is air-dried to support durability and playing performance, with naturally occurring straight grain structure. As every English willow cleft is unique, grain count, colour, weight and cosmetic appearance will vary between individual bats.

Modern Power Profile

• Player Grade+ English Willow for premium senior-level performance.
• Air-dried willow for a responsive feel and durability.
• Modern concave profile designed to retain substantial willow through the hitting area while supporting balance and pickup.
• Excellent rebound to support powerful stroke play.
• Wide playing area for a generous striking surface.
• Contemporary profile designed for a strong combination of power, balance and control.
• High-quality handle and grip for secure, comfortable control through the swing.
• Premium protective bat cover included for transport and storage.

Who Is This Bat For?

The Gladiator is suited to experienced senior players who want a high-end English willow bat with a powerful modern profile. It is a strong option for attacking batters, all-round stroke makers and players who value a large hitting area without giving up control through the pickup.

Size

This NZ Cricket Store listing is for the adult Short Handle size.

Bat Preparation

English willow is a natural material and should be correctly prepared before hard-ball use. Unless your individual bat has already been professionally prepared, appropriate oiling and knocking-in are recommended before facing a new leather cricket ball. A protective facing can also help reduce surface wear.

What’s Included?

1 × SS Gladiator English Willow Cricket Bat – Short Handle
1 × Premium SS protective bat cover

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade of willow is used?
SS currently describes the Gladiator as Player Grade+ English Willow.

Is this the adult bat?
Yes. This listing is specifically for Short Handle.

Will my bat look exactly like the photos?
Not exactly. English willow is natural, so grain pattern, colour and minor cosmetic characteristics vary from bat to bat.

Does it need knocking in?
Unless the individual bat has already been professionally prepared, English willow should be properly knocked in before hard-ball use.