Knots, grains, and the red wood myth (the beauty of the ‘imperfect’ bat)
In our latest entry in the Imperfections series, we are diving deep into the character of English Willow. Too often,…
Find out more
The challenge of beaver reintroduction for willow growers
As custodians of English Cricket Bat Willow for more than 130 years, our commitment to sustainability is woven into everything…
Find out more
The perfect partnership: from pro cricketer to master bat maker
We believe the best cricket bats aren’t just manufactured, they are grown and crafted with a deep love and understanding…
Find out more
Full circle: from Royal roots to wildlife wins
We don’t measure success in seasons; we measure it in decades. Two recent stories from our work across the UK…
Find out more
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,…
Find out more
The Lions in Chennai: why we’re backing the England over 60s
Our commitment to cricket goes beyond the the supply of willow. While much of our work focuses on the literal…
Find out more
Sachin Tendulkar and the grain count myth
If Sachin Tendulkar doesn’t care about narrow grains, then neither should the rest of us… We’ve been talking a lot…
Find out more
Why are our clefts the most sought-after in the World?
In a competitive global market, the demand for English Cricket Willow remains high. For decades, JS Wright & Sons has…
Find out more
What the “Wright Way” means to us
The Wright Way is more than a slogan; it is a philosophy of long-term stewardship, sustainability, and absolute dedication to…
Find out more
Understanding ‘false growth lines’: scars that don’t affect performance
Following our recent articles on ‘speck‘ and ‘butterfly stain‘, we are continuing our series on unique and often misunderstood characteristics…
Find out more
The integrity crisis: defending genuine English cricket bat willow
Our commitment is simple: to secure the long-term, sustainable future of the English Cricket Bat Willow industry. We are not…
Find out more
Generations of willow: an interview with JSW grower Ron Wells of Durham Lees Farm
We recently travelled to Oxfordshire to catch up with one of our long-standing growers and friends, Ron Wells of Durham…
Find out more
Butterfly stain: a Willow feature that adds strength
Following our recent, well-received article on ‘speck,’ we’re continuing our series on the unique and misunderstood characteristics of English Cricket…
Find out more
The Wright approach to felling and sustainability
We are proud of our legacy as the world’s leading supplier of English cricket bat willow clefts to bat manufacturers…
Find out more
Joe Root: the interview
Following our recent posts about Joe Root’s visit, we’re giving you an even more exclusive look into the day. While…
Find out more
Joe Root’s seal of approval: “It’s a fascinating process”
It was a huge privilege to recently host England’s Test record run-scorer, Joe Root, at our factory and head office…
Find out more
Beyond the boundary: welcoming Joe Root to our factory
It is not everyday you can say you’ve met a sporting hero – and one of the most famous cricketers…
Find out more
The Wright Way: our sustainable approach to meeting future demand
In response to a recent article in a UK newspaper, Jeremy Ruggles, Director at JS Wright & Sons, shares his…
Find out more
The art of evaluation: how we grade cricket bat willow at JS Wright & Sons
For more than 130 years, grading cricket bat willow clefts has been more than just a process at JS Wright…
Find out more
Understanding ‘speck’: a natural feature of English Willow
Look closely at a cricket bat, or even a raw willow cleft, and you might sometimes spot tiny, dark marks…
Find out more
A partnership for a greener future: Reclaim the Rain visits JS Wright & Sons
JS Wright & Sons and Reclaim the Rain are proving commercial activity and environmental responsibility can and should work hand-in-hand….
Find out more
All in the trim – the secret to top-quality willow
The journey from a young sapling to a premium bat-grade cricket bat is a meticulous one. While a majestic row…
Find out more
The future of “The Sound that Defines Cricket”: a conversation from World Cricket Connects
The sound of leather on willow defines cricket, but what if the very essence of that sound, English willow itself,…
Find out more
Investing in willow: a profitable long-term asset for landowners
For landowners and growers seeking sustainable and profitable long-term investments, growing cricket bat willow presents an excellent opportunity. JS Wright…
Find out more
Advice for growers: navigating the driest spring in a century
This spring is proving to be exceptionally dry. According to the Met Office, the UK has experienced its driest spring…
Find out more
Are grey squirrels nibbling your cricket bat willow profits?
Grey squirrels, an invasive species in the UK, are a significant concern for landowners and conservationists alike. Their presence is…
Find out more
Wide-grain English Willow (and why it matters)
The English cricket bat willows pictured above have wide grain and are mature in 11 to 13 years. They were…
Find out more
Investing in sustainability: planting willow trees for the future
For the past 130 years J.S. Wright and Sons have been planting willow trees. The planting initiative for 2024/25 was…
Find out more
TV spotlight on Nick to celebrate fantastic achievement
Having worked at J.S. Wright & Sons for seven decades and now reaching the age of 85, we thought Nick…
Find out more
Celebrating 65 years at JS Wright & Sons
Nick Wright has been a mainstay of JS Wright & Sons for an incredible 65 years. At 85 years young…
Find out more
The ethicality of the English Cricket Bat Willow industry
As the world’s oldest and largest supplier of English cricket bat willow we have a responsibility to maintain ethical and…
Find out more
Interview with an English Cricket Willow grower – Jeremy, Essex
We were delighted to catch up with a long-standing customer and friend of JS Wright & Sons. Jeremy and his…
Find out more
“It is so important cricket remains affordable”
The cost of cricket bats, and playing cricket, is an issue that comes up from time-to-time. As with any sport,…
Find out more
Summer of cricket shines spotlight on our clefts
Hands up if you’ve been enjoying the cricket? First up, we had another fantastic and fascinating Indian Premier League which…
Find out more
New video exploring the journey from planting willow trees to creating cricket bats
A few weeks before Christmas, we received a very interesting email from New York. It was from a senior producer…
Find out more
Haulage contractor retires after serving JS Wright & Sons for six decades!
We pride ourselves on a rich history that this year sees the company celebrate its 140th anniversary. During this time,…
Find out more
How we grade clefts at JS Wright & Sons
For the last 130 years, we have proudly, methodically and personally graded our blades to the highest level. Our customers…
Find out more
From tree to bat – How we produce English Cricket Bat Willow clefts
In order to supply around 75% of the world’s English Cricket Bat Willow, we rely on the fantastic relationships that…
Find out more
How did JS Wright & Sons start exporting to India and Pakistan?
In 1914 J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd. began dealing with a cricket bat manufacturer named Symonds in Allahabad, India. The…
Find out more
JS Wright & Sons: A proud history
Born in 1874, Jessie Samuel Wright lived at Warren Park in Little Leighs where he ran a building company He…
Find out more
What to expect when planting cricket willow on your land
If you have land that’s not best suited to traditional farming due to water-logging, flooding, or springs, planting English Cricket…
Find out more
The Forestry Commission’s visual guide to tree damage
Grey squirrel and deer damage to trees: Visual guide How to spot tree damage by deer and grey squirrels Grey…
Find out more
How cleft grading shapes cricket bat performance
Cricket bats are the trusty sidekick of every batsman and woman, but can the grading make or break your game?…
Find out more
A day in the life of a feller
As the world’s largest and oldest established company supplying English Cricket Bat Willow, we plant more than 30,000 trees each…
Find out more
Imperfections in willow
There are many imperfections found in the English Willow Tree that go on to still be present in the finished…
Find out more
Jeremy achieves Ashes dream after 19-year wait
Our director, Jeremy Ruggles, will be achieving a lifelong ambition during this summer’s Ashes series after ending a 19-year wait…
Find out more
Doing things the Wright way
At JS Wright & Sons, we value client satisfaction more than anything else. After all, it’s the fantastic working relationships…
Find out more
Jeremy heads to India for 25th annual customer visit
JS Wright & Sons’ co-owner, Jeremy Ruggles, is currently in India to visit and support some of our existing customers….
Find out more
How careful maintenance maximises the value of trees
At JS Wright & Sons, we offer services ranging from the planting of the highest quality sets, right through to…
Find out moreWillow: What happens to the bits we don’t use?
Growing and supplying willow to cricket bat manufacturers is a lot of work and involves a lot of wood. And…
Find out more
Felling: Why it’s about more than just cutting down trees
When it comes to felling trees to create our World Cup-winning cricket bats, it’s more than just cutting down trees….
Find out more
Planting the best young trees – a solid investment
To successfully grow English cricket bat willow trees (Salix Alba Caerula), you must ensure that the planting and growing conditions…
Find out more
Does growing location affect the quality of a cricket bat?
To make professional and high-grade cricket bats, the quality of the material used must be carefully considered. With English cricket…
Find out more
From Essex to Australia – how our cricket bat blades played a starring role in the T20
‘England secure legacy among nation’s greatest sides’. ‘England win T20 World Cup after Stokes masterclass and stunning bowling’. The headlines…
Find out more
Why consistency is key when grading cricket bat blades
Providing well-made cricket bats to our buyers is essential for their overall customer satisfaction. With English willow cricket bats from…
Find out more
