FAQ
Q. HOW DOES SCREAMING CAT WORK?
A. A Screaming Cat bat made exclusively for you by Julian Millichamp is truly unique in cricket.
- Every single piece of English willow is individually graded, prior to being hand crafted, according to how it plays and not on what it looks like.
- Each customer also has exclusive access to not only discuss custom needs with Julian directly; the customer can visit the workshop to watch the bat being made…an irreplaceable experience for those able to make the trip.
- To accommodate this exclusive philosophy and practice, Screaming Cat utilises a specific system of grading and series shapes. We know, from your valuable feedback, that this structure can be somewhat complex to navigate, in fact…completely confusing to many!
- We have outlined below the grading principles and series shapes at Screaming Cat that will (hopefully) make our system clearer for you.
The most important Screaming Cat concept to remember is: EVERY BAT GRADE IS AVAILABLE IN EVERY BAT SHAPE
BAT GRADING
There are four grades available at Screaming Cat: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select.
The Grading names represent the QUALITY and PLAYABILITY of the English willow the bat is made from, as listed below:
Professional Grade
The highest playability of any cricket bat in the world.
Stunning performance and rebound.
Highest quality English willow.
COLOUR CODING - YELLOW
Elite Grade
1st class batsman’s performance and rebound.
Will hit it’s peak during the knocking in process.
Highest quality English willow.
COLOUR CODING - GREEN
Pennant Grade
Above average performance and rebound.
Will improve during the knocking in process to become an
excellent all-round bat.
Highest quality English willow.
COLOUR CODING - BLUE
Select Grade
Solid performance for the casual cricketer.
Highest quality English willow.
COLOUR CODING - ORANGE
BAT SHAPES
There are SIX different bat shapes available at Screaming Cat: Series 1, Series 2, Series 3, Series 4, Series 5 and Series 6.
The Bat Shape names represent the DESIGN and PERFORMANCE characteristics of the bat, as listed below:
Series 1 Bat Shape
The largest volume bat on the cricket market and the choice of professional players.
Features an extra thick tapered edge, massive middle and provides a perfect pick up and balance.
Subtle Concave Through Profile
1 x Latex Diamond Grip with a Custom Oval Shaped Handle
Weight Range 2.10 – 2.15+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Series 2 Bat Shape
Traditional design with an impressive profile to weight ratio. A majestic bat designed specifically for the lighter weight bat market. Suited to the all-rounder, featuring a large edge tapering through to shoulder.
Subtle Concave Through Profile
1 x Latex Diamond Grip with a Custom Oval Shaped Handle (optional)
Weight range 2.8 – 2.10+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Series 3 Bat Shape
Large volume, light pick-up with a low, full middle and tapering extra thick edge. A subtle concave leading into the handle for extra whip and weight reduction. Designed for opening batsmen and front foot drivers.
1x Latex Diamond Grip with Custom Oval Shaped Handle (optional)
Weight Range 2.9 – 2.15+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Series 4 Bat Shape
High middle with large profile and thick edges through to medium width shoulder. Subtle concave for lightweight balance and pick-up. Suited to back foot players.
1 x Latex Diamond Grip with Custom Oval Shaped Handle (optional)
Weight Range 2.9 – 2.12+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Series 5 Bat Shape
Low middle with large profile and medium edge tapering to the shoulder. Subtle concave for lightweight balance and pick-up. Suited to front foot drivers who like a lightweight bat with a wieldy feel.
1 x Latex grip with Custom Oval Shaped Handle (optional)
Weight Range 2.8 – 2.12+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Series 6 Bat Shape
Full volume, large middle with medium edges tapering to shoulder. A unique custom designed 3-D plateau shaped toe; creating the perfect bat with a weighty feel for the big hitter.
1 x Latex Grip with Custom Oval Shaped Handle (optional)
Weight Range 2.10 – 2.15+
Available in All Four Grades: Professional, Elite, Pennant and Select
Q. DOES SCREAMING CAT CRICKET SPONSOR CRICKET PLAYERS.
A. No. Being a small boutique business, we do not feel the need to sponsor in order to promote our brand, our handmade product is of the highest quality and promotes its self at every level of the game.
Q. WHERE CAN I BUY A HAND CRAFTED SCREAMING CAT CRICKET BAT?
A. You can ONLY purchase Screaming Cat products by directly contacting Screaming Cat cricket or through pay pal. Any additional information for the products can be obtained by either calling or emailing us directly. These details can be found on the Contact Us page.
Q. IS THE WORKSHOP OPEN TO CRICKETERS?
A. Yes, You are welcome to visit the workshop when bat making is in process- however it can only be done by first making an appointment with Julian.
Q. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT SCREAMING CAT?
A. Julian personally selects all pieces of English willow for his production. Screaming Cat bats are 100% hand made. He combines his knowledge and skill to every piece of willow, ensuring the best pick up and balance is achieved during the shaping process. Stringent quality control is maintained from start to finish and only the highest grade materials are used, ensuring that each bat upholds my high standard of excellence.
Q. WHAT DETERMINES THE GRADE OF A SCREAMING CAT BAT?
A. Screaming Cat is the only brand in the world where every single bat is graded on its performance and not on its cosmetic appearance. This ensures the customer gets full value for money and does not end up paying for a top quality bat and end up with a good-looking plank. This is often the danger when buying off the shelf. If you look carefully at your Screaming Cat bat, you will notice a slight indentation on the face of every bat; this is the result of the grading with a specially crafted mallet that ensures your quality.
Q. DOES SCREAMING CAT EQUIPMENT HAVE A WARRANTY ?
A. Yes, all Screaming Cat equipment carries an industry standard 12 month warranty. (at the manufacturers
discretion) It is in line with all other Australian Cricket brands.
Q. HOW DO I KNOCK MY BAT IN, AND WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND ?
A. If you look at the media section you can view the YouTube video link to maintenance and preparation, or read the knocking in section on the maintenance page through this website. All bats come with a knocking in instruction that is attached to the bat sleeve. My personal recommendation would be to apply a quality Screaming Cat anti scuff facing and a light oiling to all other remaining natural timber areas. The biggest modern day problem is under oiling and not over oiling. If your bat does not have sufficient oil it will dry out and become more likely to split as a result.