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Premium English willow clefts prepared for bat-making

For Bat Makers

Premium English Willow, Ready for Craft

Supplied to bat-makers worldwide — prepared with the consistency and care your craft demands.

English willow is at the core of every great bat. Consistency of supply and quality of clefts are critical — and increasingly difficult to secure.

We are specialists in clefts, not bats. That single focus matters: bat-makers who also sell clefts inevitably reserve their best grades for their own production. We have no workshop to feed — so our finest goes to our partners.

What We Supply

Built for bat-makers.

01

Clefts for Bat Production

Carefully cut and prepared from selected trees.

02

Consistent Grading

Clear and reliable grading standards across supply.

03

Bulk Supply Options

Scalable supply for established manufacturers.

Grading Standards

Every cleft assessed to the same standard.

All clefts are waxed, dried and heat-treated for export. Graded against consistent, published criteria — so you know exactly what arrives with each order.

Grade 1 English willow cleft

Grade 1

8 or more straight, even grains. Minor red wood possible on one edge. Playing area very clean.

Grade 2 English willow cleft

Grade 2

Fewer than 8 grains. Grain may be slightly wavy with more blemishes and red wood. Playing area generally clean.

Grade 3 English willow cleft

Grade 3

3–6 grains, may curve. More knots, speck marks and heart wood. Imperfections more visible on the playing area.

Grade 4 English willow cleft

Grade 4

Wide grain of 4 or fewer. Significant inconsistency, knots and heart wood visible on the playing area.

Additional Grades

Butterflies

Butterfly stain on the front or edges of the cleft.

Vellums

Evidence of dead knots that impact the face, edge or spine of the cleft.

Why Work With Us

A partner, not just a supplier.

  • Direct access

    UK-grown English willow, sourced at source — no middlemen.

  • Controlled sourcing

    Hands-on from tree selection through to cleft preparation.

  • Export experience

    Established shipments to India, Pakistan and beyond.

  • Long-term relationships

    Season-over-season supply, not one-off transactions.

Global Supply

From British soil to the world.

We currently supply bat-makers across established and emerging markets — with a supply chain built for export from day one.

  • India Established supply
  • Pakistan Established supply
  • United States Emerging market
  • Australia Emerging market

In Their Words

Trusted by the bat-makers we supply.

ZAP Cricket
“We have had a very good experience working with English Willow. Their grading consistency and quality of clefts have always met our expectations. The stock quality is reliable, and the service has been exceptional throughout our association. In an industry where trust matters the most, they have proven to be one of the most dependable willow suppliers we have worked with. Proud to have ZAP bats powered by English Willow.”
Bhavya Bharadwaj Founder & CEO, ZAP Cricket

Enquire About Supply

Tell us your requirements and we'll respond quickly.

Whether you need a trial shipment or long-term bulk supply, share a few specifics and we'll come back with options — usually within 2 working days.

  • Consistent grading standards
  • Export-ready documentation
  • Scalable supply commitments

Start an Enquiry

Tell us about your requirements through our secure enquiry form. We typically respond within two working days with options tailored to your volume and specifications.

Open Enquiry Form

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