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Grade 1 English Willow · Power Profile · Meerut
InfernoGrade 1 English Willow Cricket Bat with 42mm+ Edges — No Concaving
Every gram the cleft started with, still in the blade. No concaving, 42mm+ edges, 1220g minimum — built for players whose job is to clear the rope.
You save ₹8,000 · Free shipping across India · Ships to 50+ countries
Overview
The best English willow bat for power hitters
The Inferno is our Grade 1 English willow cricket bat built for one job: putting maximum willow behind the ball. It carries 6–7 straight grains, a minimum edge thickness of 42mm, a 65mm spine, a minimum weight of 1220g, and a full profile with no concaving at all.
That last point is the whole bat. Concaving means scooping wood out of the back of the blade, either side of the spine, so a maker can advertise tall edges without the bat becoming too heavy to swing. Nearly every modern bat is concaved. The Inferno is not. Every gram of willow the cleft started with stays in the blade — which is why it weighs what it weighs, and why there is meaningfully more mass sitting directly behind the ball at the moment of contact.
It is built in one configuration only, because the geometry is the product. Same Grade 1 willow as our Striker, same eight-stage hydraulic pressing, same Sarawak cane handle and same 12-month warranty. What differs is the shape — and the shape is not for everyone, which is exactly why we say so on this page rather than after you have bought it.
The straight answer first
Is the Surge the right English willow bat for you?
We make nine English willow bats and a full Kashmir willow range. The Surge is not the right answer for everyone — and we'd rather tell you here than have you find out four weeks into the season.
Buy the Inferno if
- Your job in the side is to score quickly and clear the boundary
- You already play with a heavy bat and want more wood behind the ball, not less
- You can maintain bat speed through the shot with 1220g+ in your hands
- You play T20 and limited-overs cricket in the middle or lower order
- You want mis-hits off the toe and shoulder to still carry
No concaving means the weight is real and it stays. This is a specialist bat, built in one configuration, and it does one thing better than anything else we make.
Buy something else if
- You rely on timing and placement. The Striker at ₹20,999 is the same Grade 1 willow — lighter, balanced, and ₹3,000 less.
- You want to choose your own sweet spot. The Inferno comes in one fixed profile. Every other bat we make offers all five player profiles.
- You're not already comfortable with a heavy bat. A blade you can't swing quickly costs more runs than the extra mass gains — that's true at every price.
- You're buying for a junior. 1220g minimum is unsuitable. The Surge starts at Size 5.
Unsure whether you can handle 1220g? Tell us what your current bat weighs on WhatsApp and we'll tell you honestly whether the jump makes sense.
Written by the manufacturer, not a review site
What ₹23,999 actually buys you
We press, shape and finish every bat in our own Meerut facility. Here's what that changes about the Surge.
No concaving — the wood stays in the bat
Walk into any cricket shop and turn the bats over. Almost every one has wood scooped out of the back, either side of the spine. That is concaving, and it exists so a maker can advertise 42mm edges while keeping the bat light enough to sell. The Inferno keeps every gram. No scoop, no relief, no hollow behind the spine — the blade is as full at the back as it is at the edge. That is the difference between a bat that measures 42mm and a bat with 42mm of willow actually working behind the ball.
Eight hydraulic press stages — the same process as our premium bats
Every Inferno passes through eight separate hydraulic press stages, pressure raised progressively across face, edges and toe. Most bats at this price see two to four, because pressing takes time and time costs money. The extra stages compress the surface fibres into a harder, more responsive skin — which is why the Inferno arrives closer to ready than most big-profile bats, and why the ping holds through a full season. This is the one thing we won't cut, at any price point.
Every cleft inspected by hand before it becomes a bat
Clefts arrive pre-graded, but grading happens in bulk and it misses things. Before a cleft is pressed, one of our bat makers checks it individually for grain run-out, internal cracks, soft patches and toe integrity. Clefts that fail are rejected outright rather than quietly moved down a grade. An Inferno is a sound, straight-grained cleft — the grade describes how clean it looks, never how well it was made.
Factory direct — you pay for willow and labour, nothing else
A bat leaving a Meerut factory normally passes through a distributor, a wholesaler and a retailer before it reaches a player, each adding margin. We removed all three. That is the entire reason a hand-made Grade 1 English willow bat with this much willow left in the blade sits at ₹23,999 rather than at the multiple of that figure a comparable big-profile bat reaches through a retail chain. Meerut makes the large majority of the world's cricket bats — the Surge is simply one bought at the source rather than at the end of the chain.
One configuration, deliberately
Every other bat we make lets you choose a sweet spot position from five player profiles. The Inferno does not, and that isn't a limitation we're apologising for. A full profile with no concaving is the bat — put a mid sweet spot on this blade and you've built a heavier Striker, not a power bat. You still choose your size from five and your handle shape from three, and nothing is pre-made or warehoused. The blade shape is the one decision we make for you.
Full specification
Inferno English willow bat — full specification
| Specification | Inferno |
|---|---|
| Ball type | Leather ball cricket only |
| Sizes available | SH · LB · LH · LBLH · Harrow |
| Handle shapes | Round · Oval · Semi-oval |
| Profile | Full profile, no concaving — fixed |
| Pressing | 8-stage hydraulic pressing |
| Toe guard | Reinforced rubber |
| Face protection | Anti-scuff sheet fitted |
| Knocking in required | 8–10 hours |
| Weight variation | ±20g — natural to genuine willow |
| Shipping | Free across India · 50+ countries worldwide |
| Made in | Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Where the Surge sits
All 9 Ciel Sports English willow cricket bats compared
Every bat below is the same willow species, through the same eight press stages, with the same 12-month handle warranty. What changes as you move up is the cleft — grain count, straightness, and how clean the face is.
What the numbers actually do
Edge thickness, spine height and concaving explained
Bats are sold on three numbers most players are never told the meaning of. Here is what each one changes about the ball coming off the face.
Edge thickness — 42mm and why it matters
Edge thickness is the depth of willow at the outside of the blade, and it decides what happens when you don't middle it. On a thin-edged bat, contact 30mm off centre meets a rapidly narrowing blade, and the ball dies in the hands. On a 42mm edge there is substantially more wood behind that same contact, so a shot struck off the toe or high on the blade still carries. Edges don't help the shots you middle. They rescue the ones you don't — which is exactly what matters when you're hitting across the line and taking risks.
Spine height — 65mm and where the mass sits
The spine is the ridge running down the back of the blade, and its height sets how much willow sits directly behind the middle. A taller spine puts more mass in line with the ball at the point of contact, which is what produces the sensation players describe as the ball "leaping" off the face. It also raises the balance point, which is why spine height and pickup are inseparable — you cannot add spine without adding perceived weight.
Concaving — and why the Inferno has none
Concaving is wood scooped from the back of the blade, either side of the spine. It exists for one commercial reason: it lets a maker keep tall edges and a big spine while cutting the weight down to something most players will buy. It works, and there is nothing wrong with it — our Striker is conventionally concaved and it is a better bat for most cricketers because of it.
But scooping wood out is still removing wood. The Inferno keeps all of it. That gives you 42mm+ edges and a 65mm spine with the full blade intact behind them, and it is why the minimum weight is 1220g. You cannot have maximum mass and easy pickup. Anyone selling you both is concaving the bat.
| Specification | Striker | Inferno | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edge thickness | 40–42mm | 42mm minimum | More wood behind off-centre contact |
| Spine height | 63–65mm | 65mm | More mass directly behind the ball |
| Concaving | Conventional | None | Full blade retained — nothing scooped out |
| Weight | 1150–1240g | 1220g minimum | Heavier — the trade-off for the above |
| Profile | Five profiles, you choose | Full profile, fixed | Built one way, for one job |
| Willow grade | Grade 1 · 6–7 grains | Grade 1 · 6–7 grains | Identical — the willow is not the difference |
Not sure whether you can swing 1220g? The honest test is your current bat. Weigh it, and if you're already comfortable above 1200g the Inferno will feel like a natural step. If you're at 1150g and struggling to get through the line late in an innings, the Striker is the better bat and we'd rather sell you that one. Ask us on WhatsApp — our cricket bat weight guide covers it too.
Get the size right
Inferno size guide — five adult sizes
Junior sizes aren't offered on the Inferno — a 1220g minimum isn't suitable for younger players. Pick by height, not by age. Between two sizes? Take the smaller one — bat control matters more than reach. Still unsure, send us your height on WhatsApp and we'll tell you exactly which to order.
| Size | Player age | Player height | Bat length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrow | 13–15 yrs | 5'1"–5'5" | 32" |
| Short Handle (SH) | 15+ yrs | 5'5"–6'2" | 33.5" |
| Long Blade (LB) | Adults | 5'7"–6'0" | 34" |
| Long Handle (LH) | Adults | 6'2" and above | 34.5" |
| Long Blade Long Handle (LBLH) | Adults | 6'2" and above | 35" |
See the craft
How English willow cricket bats are made in our Meerut factory
Cleft selection, eight press stages, shaping, finishing — the full process, filmed on our own factory floor in Meerut.
Before your first match
How to knock in your Inferno English willow bat
The eight press stages do most of the conditioning before the bat leaves us. What's left is yours — and skipping it is the single most common reason an English willow bat fails early.
| Step | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 · Oil | Two light coats of raw linseed oil on the face, edges and toe. Wipe off any excess. Keep oil off the splice and handle entirely. | 24 hrs between coats |
| 2 · Edges and toe | Start where the wood is hardest. Light mallet taps first, rounding the edges gradually so they can absorb an off-centre hit. | 2–3 hrs |
| 3 · The face | Work outward from the middle, building force slowly. Never strike the splice, the shoulders or the back of the blade. | 3–4 hrs |
| 4 · Old-ball throw-downs | 30–60 minutes with a used leather ball before facing a new one. Check the face for seam marks — deep marks mean more mallet work. | 1 session |
| 5 · Ongoing care | Re-oil lightly every 8–10 innings. Store upright at room temperature — never in a car boot, never against a radiator. | Season-long |
Questions players ask
Inferno English willow bat — frequently asked questions
What does no concaving mean on a cricket bat? +
Concaving is wood scooped out of the back of the blade, either side of the spine, to reduce weight while keeping the edges tall. Almost every modern bat is concaved, because it lets a maker advertise big edges without the bat becoming too heavy to sell. The Inferno has none. Every gram of willow the cleft started with stays in the blade — which is why it carries a 1220g minimum, and why there's meaningfully more mass sitting directly behind the ball at contact.
What is the best English willow bat for power hitters? +
The Inferno is the bat we build for power hitting: Grade 1 English willow, 42mm minimum edges, a 65mm spine, 1220g minimum weight and a full profile with no concaving. The combination puts maximum mass behind the ball rather than spreading it thinly across a scooped blade. It suits players who clear the boundary regularly and can hold bat speed through the shot. It is not the bat for players who rely on timing and placement.
Why does a 42mm edge matter? +
Edge thickness decides how much willow sits behind a shot you don't middle. On a thin-edged bat, contact 30mm off centre meets a rapidly narrowing blade and the ball dies. On a 42mm edge there's substantially more wood behind that same contact, so shots struck off the toe or high on the blade still carry. Edges don't help the shots you middle — they rescue the ones you don't.
Can I choose the sweet spot profile on the Inferno? +
No, and that's deliberate. The Inferno is built in one configuration only — a full profile with no concaving — because that geometry is the bat. Choosing a mid or low sweet spot on this blade would give you a heavier Striker, not a power bat. If you want to choose your sweet spot from our five player profiles, the Striker at ₹20,999 uses the same Grade 1 willow and is fully customisable.
What's the difference between the Inferno and the Striker? +
Both use Grade 1 English willow with 6–7 grains, so the willow is identical in standard. Everything else differs. The Striker runs 40–42mm edges, a 63–65mm spine and a 1150–1240g range, conventionally concaved, with a choice of five sweet spot profiles. The Inferno runs 42mm minimum edges, a 65mm spine, 1220g minimum and no concaving at all, in one fixed full profile. Choose the Striker for balance and bat speed, the Inferno for maximum mass behind the ball.
Is the Inferno too heavy for most players? +
It's heavier than most bats on the market, and we'd rather say so plainly. A 1220g minimum with no concaving means the mass is real and it stays. If you can't hold bat speed through the shot, this bat will cost you runs rather than gain them, and the Striker or Vortex will serve you far better. If you already play with a heavy bat and want more wood behind the ball, the Inferno is built for exactly that.
What sizes does the Inferno come in? +
Five sizes: Harrow, Short Handle (SH), Long Blade (LB), Long Handle (LH) and Long Blade Long Handle (LBLH). Junior sizes aren't offered, because a 1220g minimum is unsuitable for younger players. Choose by height rather than age, and if you're between two sizes take the smaller one. For juniors moving into leather ball cricket, the Surge is available from Size 5 upward.
How long does the Inferno take to knock in? +
Around 8–10 hours of mallet work across three to four weeks — a little longer than our other bats, because there's more willow in the blade and the edges are thicker. Follow with old-ball throw-downs before you face a new leather ball. Oil first: two light coats of raw linseed, 24 hours apart, none on the splice or handle. The eight hydraulic press stages mean this is final conditioning rather than the whole job.
Is the Inferno good for T20 cricket? +
Yes. The combination of 42mm+ edges, a 65mm spine and no concaving is built for the shots T20 demands, where clearing the rope matters more than placement and a mis-hit still needs to carry. It suits middle and lower-order players asked to score quickly from ball one. For longer formats where you build an innings and value bat speed against the new ball, the Striker is the better choice.
What does the 12-month handle warranty cover? +
It covers handle failure under normal leather ball cricket use for 12 months from delivery. It does not cover blade damage from mis-hits, damage from wet or waterlogged balls, use in tennis ball cricket, or damage traceable to an incomplete knocking-in process. If something goes wrong, message us on WhatsApp with photos and we'll assess it directly — no retailer in between.
Do you ship the Inferno outside India? +
Yes — we ship to 50+ countries including the UK, Australia, USA, UAE, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. Shipping within India is free. International rates are calculated at checkout and typical delivery is 8–14 days. For international or team orders, message us on WhatsApp and we'll handle it personally.
Also in the range
Compare with the next bats up
Striker
Same Grade 1 willow, conventionally concaved and balanced. Lighter, faster through the line, five profiles to choose from.
Dominator
A grade up in willow. Grade 1+ with a very clean face, for competitive club and academy cricketers.
Vortex
If 1220g is more than you want to swing, this is the balanced club bat at ₹7,000 less.
More from the workshop
Elsewhere at Ciel Sports
We manufacture for clubs, academies and brands, we repair bats from any maker, and we ship this range worldwide with local pricing.
Buying from outside India? Prices in your own currency, local delivery times and conditions advice:
Built to order in Meerut
Buy the Inferno English willow cricket bat
Grade 1 · 6–7 straight grains · 42mm+ edges · 65mm spine · 1220g minimum · Full profile, no concaving · Sarawak cane handle · 8-stage hydraulic pressing · 5 sizes · 3 handle shapes · 12-month handle warranty · Free shipping across India · Ships to 50+ countries
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