A win for grassroots cricket – why we support the MCC’s law change on laminated bats
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially announced a landmark change to the Laws of Cricket. From 1st October 2026, laminated “Type D” bats, previously restricted to junior cricket, will be permitted in all open-age recreational cricket. (Read more on the MCC website)
We have supported this law change from the start.
An end to the “willow emergency”?
For some time, we have been vocal about the “Cricket Bat Emergency.” A combination of global demand and a lack of long-term planting by newer suppliers has seen rises in the price of premium English Willow. In some cases, top-end bats have trebled in price, reaching close to £1,000, a figure that risks putting the game out of reach for the “grassroots cricketer”.
Jeremy Ruggles, Director at JS Wright & Sons, has been a leading advocate for this law change since its inception.
“We have backed this law change from the start,” says Jeremy. “We could see the price of bats going out of reach due to intense competition for trees. The reality is no other supplier has planted enough over the years to keep up, and new suppliers have entered the market who have never planted a tree. This law change is a sensible and sustainable way forward.”
Sustainability: using more of every tree
The traditional requirement for a single-piece “cleft” of willow meant a significant portion of every tree harvested was deemed “illegal” for senior play, simply because the pieces were too small. We have been leading the charge on this front. For several years, we have been supplying tens of thousands of smaller, high-quality pieces of English Willow for use in junior bats. Under the new Law 5.8, these same premium pieces can now be legally laminated into senior bats.
This means:
Better yield: We can use more of the tree, reducing waste and improving sustainability.
Affordability: Manufacturers can produce high-performing bats at a fraction of the current cost.
Quality: By using an English Willow face with a laminated backing, players still get the “ping” and performance of the world’s best wood without the “Grade 1” price tag.
The Wright way forward
While the elite game will likely always favour single-piece Type A blades, the recreational game remains the heartbeat of cricket. This amendment ensures local club players or youngster moving into senior cricket are not priced out of the sport they love. As the world’s leading supplier of English Cricket Bat Willow, our mission has always been stewardship, of both land we plant and the game we serve. We are proud to see the MCC take this step toward a more inclusive and sustainable future for cricket.
Media and industry inquiries
As the world’s leading authority on English Cricket Bat Willow and a key stakeholder in the future of the sport’s raw materials, J S Wright & Sons is available for expert commentary and industry insight. For high-res imagery, technical data, or to schedule a press interview, please contact our PR team or visit our Contact page.