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Entering the Matrix: A Brief Glance

Z

zeusky

Tape Ball Star
Joined
Apr 12, 2011
Runs
768
Alright Gentlemen:

So I got this beauty from Asadbhai. A brief background on this purchase: I have been looking for a SS Matrix for sometime after my previous one broke a few years back. It used to be one of my all time favorite and had scored a lot of runs with that one. But the prices of the Matrix in the US is really ridiculous; so when I saw this one in Senor Qureshi’s collection I jumped up from the sofa and quickly put my computer to work. Mails were exchanged across the Atlantic with Senor Qureshi being as helpful as he always is. My requirements were simple: do not care about edge size but want one with good feel, balance and about 10 grains. Most importantly: it should pass the 'mallet test'. Weight should be between 2.8-2.9; and holla, next day I get two pictures from Mr Uzi himself; I liked both but looking at my sad wallet decided to go with one; I was told one was pressed a bit more than the other. Impatience being suddenly a prominent virtue of mine I decided to go with the less pressed one which naturally also had a tad bigger profile than the other one. I did not want to spend too much time knocking in a South Asian bat as I have always regarded the quick coming of age time of their bats as a virtue more than a vice. The stated weight was 2.9 which I thought was commensurate with my flagging bisceps (yeah I should quit smoking, should go to the gym more often ..I know, I know);

So I ordered this one. International shipping price was sad; almost lost my left arm on that but thanks to Asadbhai's wonderful service was able to forget the pain.

This morning the eagle landed on my porch and brought a sunny lining in a previously cloudy day. The packing was done in a way so as to make me salivate even more.

After undressing all the paraphernalia the beauty was revealed to me in its nakedness at last. Well it felt nice from the get go; the balance was superb; the feel was great; the weight is comfortable.

Next up was the ball test; the used ball was tapped and the response was immediate, comfortable and with a lot of gusto. What more can we want from this? This was perfect. As usual if you are looking for huge edges SS bats are not for you. But if you are looking for an off the shelf bat with some of best responsive pressing unless you are unlucky, you cannot go wrong with a SS. Apart from the acronym I have always had a very high opinion of these ones.

Here are some pictures I thought I should share with you; sorry for the mess and the blabbering. Let me know what you guys think. This one will soon replace my beloved CA as my new match bat.


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As a sidenote: I had asked Asadbhai that mallet test was the most important criterion; having gotten my hands on this I can certainly say he did not go wrong.
 
Looks lovely! One of my team mate bought this for 2010 season and he made full use of the bat and believe me that bat was one of the best performing bat I saw, it pinged amazingly well!

I still remember him hitting a six and that is the biggest six I have ever seen in my life!

Brilliant bat it is!

How do you compare it with your other bats? How does this feel, ping compared to others?

Thanks
 
I have always been impressed by the pressing in SS bats; so if I oil it properly and knock it in a bit and take it to my game this weekend I am sure it will perform well. The edge size in an SS really does not matter and unlike my other reviews where I do mention edge size etc, I avoided doing it here.

It is a good bat with responsive pressing. Is it better than my GNs? Hard to answer that; the GNs need a lot more time to get fully knocked and the top range GNs cost a lot; Matrix is one of the top bats SS makes and in the US they sell for nearly 400 dollars. But with shipping I paid a little less than 250. So value-wise this is better than any top range English made bats.

The profile locates the sweetspot in a lower part of the blade, in fact as me and Asadbhai were discussing, the sweetspot of the Matrix is lower than the SS L.E.

So again it will come down to the individual preference: if you want a bat with a higher sweetspot this one is not for you. But at the same time despite having a low sweetspot the pick up is really really good.

Is it as good as my CA or even better? Difficult to say again; the ping is awesome and the balance is superb. Only time will tell how this one turns out.

I have said this before and I will say this again: VALUEWISE NO ENGLISH BATS CAN BEAT INDIAN AND PAKISTANI MADE CRICKET BATS.
 
And just to add to what I have already said:

a) The GN will cost more; but will probably last you longer but will take long time to open up.

b) The CA and SS will give you full value from get-go but might not last as long as a GM/GN.

c) So in 3 years you might need two South Asian bats while in 3 years you just might need one GM/GN

d) Unless you play and train regularly, you will probably spend one entire season getting the GM/GN bats to perform well

e) So you basically end up playing 2 seasons with the GM/GN bats and 2 seasons each with the CA/SS

f) Now at the end of it all you pay let' say 100 dollars more for the GM/GN; but it lasts you 2 playing seasons; you pay less for the SS/CA and it performs perfectly for 2 seasons.

So which is a better deal?

Now again, if you play every week and practice 3-4 times a week, then GM/GN will make more sense as you will have time to shape the bat properly.

Again these are quiet generalized observations but done to give ideas to some folks who might be wondering what their options are. I hope this helps.
 
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I have never used any SS but I know a lot about this bat and shape. It indeed has a lower middle and the pick up is fantastic for a low middle bat.

I appreciate your efforts in writing in-depth analysis, I appreciate it.

That is good thing about Asian bats since they are soft pressed they really don't take very long to open as opposed to English counterpart.

Asian bats are indeed best bat for value, I agree with you there.
 
Cover Drive said:
I have never used any SS but I know a lot about this bat and shape. It indeed has a lower middle and the pick up is fantastic for a low middle bat.

I appreciate your efforts in writing in-depth analysis, I appreciate it.

That is good thing about Asian bats since they are soft pressed they really don't take very long to open as opposed to English counterpart.

Asian bats are indeed best bat for value, I agree with you there.
Click to expand...

My pleasure CD; as a forum member I think it is my honor to do all these. Let me know if you have any more questions.
 
Looks like a nice bat, saw one of theese at KIngsgrove cricket store and they had nice pick up and beutiful grains
 
zeusky said:
And just to add to what I have already said:

a) The GN will cost more; but will probably last you longer but will take long time to open up.

b) The CA and SS will give you full value from get-go but might not last as long as a GM/GN.

c) So in 3 years you might need two South Asian bats while in 3 years you just might need one GM/GN

d) Unless you play and train regularly, you will probably spend one entire season getting the GM/GN bats to perform well

e) So you basically end up playing 2 seasons with the GM/GN bats and 2 seasons each with the CA/SS

f) Now at the end of it all you pay let' say 100 dollars more for the GM/GN; but it lasts you 2 playing seasons; you pay less for the SS/CA and it performs perfectly for 2 seasons.

So which is a better deal?

Now again, if you play every week and practice 3-4 times a week, then GM/GN will make more sense as you will have time to shape the bat properly.

Again these are quiet generalized observations but done to give ideas to some folks who might be wondering what their options are. I hope this helps.
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You have raised very good point here.

However, over here we are talking about mid-range Gray Nicolls or Gunn & Moore bat, right ?

If I'm not mistaken then I think in most cases you can get top of the line Asian bat cheaper than mid-range GN and/or GM prices, no ?

I would say it depends how well you look after your Asian bat, there is a guy in my club who has MB Malik Bubber Sher for two years now and even now it is in very good nick and going strong. So Asian bats can last long too!

If one buys GM or GN in December and before season begins in April he or she uses the bat in all of indoors nets then by the time season is close by then it will open up most likely.

But as I mentioned earlier English bat will be mid-range whereas Asian bat would be top end so willow weighs a lot I'd say.
 
Cover Drive said:
You have raised very good point here.

However, over here we are talking about mid-range Gray Nicolls or Gunn & Moore bat, right ?

If I'm not mistaken then I think in most cases you can get top of the line Asian bat cheaper than mid-range GN and/or GM prices, no ?

I would say it depends how well you look after your Asian bat, there is a guy in my club who has MB Malik Bubber Sher for two years now and even now it is in very good nick and going strong. So Asian bats can last long too!

If one buys GM or GN in December and before season begins in April he or she uses the bat in all of indoors nets then by the time season is close by then it will open up most likely.

But as I mentioned earlier English bat will be mid-range whereas Asian bat would be top end so willow weighs a lot I'd say.
Click to expand...

Let us look at these and mind you these are average market prices in the US only:

Top Range:
Well a GN Oblivion L.E will cost you 450 dollars.
Malik Bubber Sher L.E will cost you 250-270

Medium Range:
A GM 808-909 will cost you 289/329
A SG Sunny Tonny will cost you 180-200

Top of the line Asian Bats under 300:
SS Matrix
SS L.E
CA 12000
CA 10000 (more mid-range)
MB Bubber Sher
AS V10
AS V12



As CD says, if one looks after his bats all bats have a good chance of lasting long. But I must say that on average the English made bats do last a little longer.

Also as CD says, if you buy your GM/GN in December and do practice till May there is a chance that it might open up before the season---again some bats do open sooner while others might take longer. But again, it depends on how much cricket you play and like I said if you do play a lot of cricket throughout the year then you can afford to take your time knocking in your bats.

I know for example, there are many clubs who start there season with a couple of nets and probably one or two practice games; now if one plays in that kind of a format you might be more hard pressed for time.
 
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Hey Zeusky … Very nice bat indeed; congrats … Asad Bhai rocks !

English bats last longer vs Asian bats … what about Aussie bats guys? :D

On a lighter note guys … take some photography lessons/tips; reveal full beauty of your bats :))
 
zeusky said:
Let us look at these and mind you these are average market prices in the US only:

Top Range:
Well a GN Oblivion L.E will cost you 450 dollars.
Malik Bubber Sher L.E will cost you 250-270

Medium Range:
A GM 808-909 will cost you 289/329
A SG Sunny Tonny will cost you 180-200

Top of the line Asian Bats under 300:
SS Matrix
SS L.E
CA 12000
CA 10000 (more mid-range)
MB Bubber Sher
AS V10
AS V12
Click to expand...

If one can get directly from Asia then some of other bats do fall under $300 budget as well

zeusky said:
As CD says, if one looks after his bats all bats have a good chance of lasting long. But I must say that on average the English made bats do last a little longer.
Click to expand...

Yes, that is true and that is because English bats are harder pressed.

According to Julian Millichamp English bats are harder pressed because the balls used in England are not good anymore, hence, harder pressed bats are being used.
 
KashifJ said:
Hey Zeusky … Very nice bat indeed; congrats … Asad Bhai rocks !

English bats last longer vs Asian bats … what about Aussie bats guys? :D
Click to expand...

Haha :)) - I know what you are talking about :)

Julian Ankal says that if we play around 16 games per season with the bat and few nets then it can last for like three season but then a lot of other things are involved too.

KashifJ said:
On a lighter note guys … take some photography lessons/tips; reveal full beauty of your bats :))
Click to expand...

Actually I would say it would be brilliant if you make a topic and give us tips :D I'm serious :))
 
Cover Drive said:
Haha :)) - I know what you are talking about :)

Julian Ankal says that if we play around 16 games per season with the bat and few nets then it can last for like three season but then a lot of other things are involved too.

Actually I would say it would be brilliant if you make a topic and give us tips :D I'm serious :))
Click to expand...

Ankal Julian zindabad :D

Thas a good idea; for sure I'll do it ... but in which section of the forum? :)
 
KashifJ said:
Hey Zeusky … Very nice bat indeed; congrats … Asad Bhai rocks !

English bats last longer vs Asian bats … what about Aussie bats guys? :D

On a lighter note guys … take some photography lessons/tips; reveal full beauty of your bats :))
Click to expand...

Aussie bats are the best!!

NZ bats are good too :))

Photography lesson --- need that urgently; a better camera will help. One of my GNs for your camera ?? :))
 
zeusky said:
Aussie bats are the best!!

NZ bats are good too :))

Photography lesson --- need that urgently; a better camera will help. One of my GNs for your camera ?? :))
Click to expand...

:)) ... my camara costs a fortune, all CD's bats combined and my camera still wins by longgggg way :))
 
No wonder you find our photography acumen not up to scratch; also for some sinister reason I end up taking all my pics at night--that does not help too plus the 'scratched' lens :D
 
KashifJ said:
Nops; it’s just a high end professional grade camera; they always cost a fortune ... I do professional photography as my side business :)
Click to expand...

I know you do bhai :)

Lekin mind telling which cameras are they? Name, make etc would work :D
 
So which cameras are better and will take less time to open up:

English or Asian?

I would vote for Asian --- a little more to the east possibly. :)))
 
From a reliable source: majority of GN bats (including even the topmost models) are now being made in their factory in Jallandher; they use their own press in there as well and hence the pressing is a bit different from some of the South Asian bats. Food for thought right?
 
zeusky said:
From a reliable source: majority of GN bats (including even the topmost models) are now being made in their factory in Jallandher; they use their own press in there as well and hence the pressing is a bit different from some of the South Asian bats. Food for thought right?
Click to expand...

Old story, I know that mate ;-)

Even Legends are made in India, certainly mine is....there are very very few which are English made Legend that is next zero.
 
I know it is an old story but wanted to throw this into the middle and ask the people their opinions on spending the little extra on these "english" bats; but I guess the pressing factor has to be taken into consideration as well.
 
zeusky said:
I know it is an old story but wanted to throw this into the middle and ask the people their opinions on spending the little extra on these "english" bats; but I guess the pressing factor has to be taken into consideration as well.
Click to expand...

Its all good :)

AFter all we are just paying extra for the stickers to be honest.
 
Very nice bat, I wonder who will want to buy so expensive United Kingdom bats when we have so good Asian bats for a lot less?

You got it quite cheap I'd say otherwise Uzi Sports prices are tad expensive.

How is the handle? Oval?
 
Silencer said:
Very nice bat, I wonder who will want to buy so expensive United Kingdom bats when we have so good Asian bats for a lot less?

You got it quite cheap I'd say otherwise Uzi Sports prices are tad expensive.

How is the handle? Oval?
Click to expand...
we have loads of customers from different part of the world, our prices are comparable with a lot of other Eglish retailers but what you get from us is hand picked bats. The vat is also take off for qualified customers

Regards

Asad
 
OP how is this bat serving you?

Today I was at nets and one guy had nice Matrix but unfortunately it was broken with the handle and poor guy kept on playing with it.
 
It looks and feels good and like all SS bats you need to get used to a little bottom heaviness and the balance gets even better with 2 grips. My CA has a better pick up, mainly because its sweetspot is a tad higher. The pressing as I had expected, is quite marvelous and you kind of get good value for shots from the start. I had asked Asadbhai to give me the lighter pressed one anyway (was given two choices). Just hope the handle stays steady so to speak. Just to repeat what I have said previously, SS bats have really impressive pressing, on an average. But I have also come across a couple of folks who claimed their bats took some time to open up. But I would say that is not the norm with SS. Mind you, I have used it only a few times and its true colors are yet to be seen. Just need to stay at the crease for a longer time to reap the benefits :D
 
the v200 looks nice, i picked up one and my god one of the best feeling bats (for me) how is your v200?
 
I also like the feel of the V200. I have used it about a couple of times now and the balance is so right in my hands. I think Slaz get hammered for their high prices otherwise they make decent bats.
 
zeusky said:
I also like the feel of the V200. I have used it about a couple of times now and the balance is so right in my hands. I think Slaz get hammered for their high prices otherwise they make decent bats.
Click to expand...

You have some Nice looking bats..:19:

Q: Do Slazenger make their own bats?
 
Hobo with a bat said:
Very nice bat zeusky bhai, just 1 question ....... howcome the stickers don't match the 1 in the ss website ??:20:
Click to expand...

The SS website has not been updated in the last few years.

Having said that, there is another version of SS Matrix stickers in the market; they usually come with white grips.

The one that I have has the more regular stickers with black and red snake grip.
 
zeusky said:
The SS website has not been updated in the last few years.

Having said that, there is another version of SS Matrix stickers in the market; they usually come with white grips.

The one that I have has the more regular stickers with black and red snake grip.
Click to expand...

oh ok thanx for clearing that up
 
And just to let you guys in on a trade secret: many of the retailers charge more for Matrix based on the price shown on the SS website while in reality the price has gone down with the advent of newer and more expensive models. Interesting eh? :D
 
zeusky said:
And just to let you guys in on a trade secret: many of the retailers charge more for Matrix based on the price shown on the SS website while in reality the price has gone down with the advent of newer and more expensive models. Interesting eh? :D
Click to expand...

True... if you buy in person in stores in India, you will get minimum 10% discount out of prices shown on websites.... and they still make profit....
 
allan2377 said:
True... if you buy in person in stores in India, you will get minimum 10% discount out of prices shown on websites.... and they still make profit....
Click to expand...

I do not think so!

I went to a store in delhi and the were selling a SS was an older version of LE for 12000 rs!
and other equipment was quite expensive as well
 
wizard_85 said:
I do not think so!

I went to a store in delhi and the were selling a SS was an older version of LE for 12000 rs!
and other equipment was quite expensive as well
Click to expand...

Havent you heard about the art of haggling :D...If someone quotes a price, it doesnt mean that ppl buy at that price too :D..
 
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