Surely every cricket devotee on the planet knows the names Gunn and Moore, New Balance, Gray-Nicolls, and Kookaburra.
While the familiar logos of established brands dominate the shelves, a wave of independent creators is making its mark.
From handcrafted bats to thoughtfully designed protection, we’ve rounded up 11 under-the-radar brands that are winning over players who demand quality and a personal touch. Explore our picks and see what takes your fancy. You never know, new connections and a fresh perspective on equipment might be the change you need to take your game to the next level.
1. Village Cricket Co.
With over 20 years of combined experience as passionate village cricketers, Freddie and George founded Village Cricket Co. with a clear mission: to make quality cricket gear more affordable and accessible.
Their secret? Keeping things simple. No bells-and-whistles and expensive sponsorships that increase costs unreasonably.
This no-frills approach lets them offer the high-quality Village Cricket Bat for just £117, without compromising on quality. Made from high-grade Kashmir willow, it’s a smart-looking, stellar piece.
Here are just a few stand-outs of the VCC bat:
- It features a low middle, making it ideal for English tracks with lower bounce
- With a medium weight, it’s suitable for big hitters and touch players alike.
- The bat comes knocked in, so when it arrives at your door, you’re ready to take guard.
There is a fantastic bundle deal, too—a brand new bat, pads, gloves and bag for only £200!
Budget-friendly, reliable, and with fantastic service, the Village Cricket Co. is a real winner for pro and amateur players everywhere.
2. Aldred Cricket
Renowned for excellent handcrafted bats and a strong commitment to sustainability, Aldred Cricket Bats was founded in 2008 by Paul Aldred.
A former professional player for Derbyshire and high-level coach, Paul is uniquely positioned as one of the few former first-class cricketers who personally hand-makes bats from start to finish, as it was done 100 years ago.
Each Aldred bat is crafted in the UK using the finest English willow, and their made-to-order service ensures your bat is crafted for your unique concaving, shape, weight, and edge specifications.
Beyond bat making, Aldred is a complete one-stop shop, offering repairs, pads, gloves, helmets, and a host of other accessories. Not to mention, Paul regularly offers coaching tips to customers, especially up-and-coming players who want advice from a seasoned pro.
3. OX29 Cricket Bat Doctor
OX29 Bat Doctor operates with two main aims: to make bats better and to make better bats. Based in Oxfordshire, Bat Doctor is the go-to bat repair guy for cricketers from across the region and beyond.
Founder Sam Cross learned all he knows from cricket equipment guru Gordon Clack of Hawthorn Sports Agencies, and demonstrates that with care and expertise, most bat damage can be fixed.
Besides skilled repairs, the company offers a custom service where you can bespoke design your new bat, from start to finish (from around £280).
After selecting the basic weight, shape, and performance elements, you can personalise your bat further:
- Choose from an array of colourful stickers and designs
- Select a toe guard
- Pick out your preferred handle colour and grip type
- Decide whether you want your bat knocked in
4. B3 Cricket
Based in Nottingham and driven by a family-run team of ‘real cricket people’, B3 Cricket is on a mission to equip players of all levels with the very best gear to elevate their game.
Featuring possibly the most advanced bat-making facility in the cricketing world, the company has carved a unique niche by blending innovative manufacturing processes with time-honoured craftsmanship.
Players have three flexible options for choosing a bat:
- The Series and Pro Ranges: This allows you to select from nine proven bat shapes with varying middle positions. The bats are always in stock and available in multiple grades and weights. Plus, they can be custom-finished in a few days if your ideal spec isn’t on the shelf.
- Custom Bat Builder: The custom option offers numerous combinations of shape, spine, toe, edges, and more. You can visualise and fine-tune your bat to your precise requirements.
- Bespoke Service: Do you have a favourite old bat you miss? Using CAD technology, B3 can recreate any shape precisely. This is the perfect way to replicate that trusty old runmaker.
B3’s brilliant customisation is matched by top service. Every cricketer, from grassroots to international stars, is treated like a VIP. Their facility also welcomes visitors for factory tours and net sessions, and their extensive range includes pads, gloves, wicketkeeping gear, thigh guards, shoes, bags and coaching products.
Endorsing their quality, England players Tom Hartley, Freya Davies, and Josh Tongue are among B3’s clients.
5. Bear Cricket
Bear Cricket, based in Yorkshire, is a brand gaining in popularity, including among professionals like Yorkshire’s Jonny Tattersall. The company is founded on a winning combination of tradition, innovation, and exceptional service.
The Bear product range includes four of the finest cricket bats outside the major brands:
- Black Bear from £379
- Polar Bear from £379
- Kodiak Bear from £379
- Bear Cub (for juniors) from £189
Handcrafted in the UK from premium willow sourced from private UK forests, each bat comes pre-knocked in with anti-scuff and edging tape applied.
With years of expertise and strong manufacturing partnerships, Bear has an excellent reputation for providing cricket teamwear to local clubs and the community. Plus, all their apparel, including shirts, trousers, jumpers, training kits and hoodies, is designed for functionality, comfort, and style.
6. Wombat Cricket
As a leading cricket specialist based in Devon, Wombat Cricket is ideal for finding everything from the right cricket bat to kitting you with leading brand spikes from the likes of Nike and Adidas.
This award-winning company boasts an extensive selection of gear, but its superb bats deserve special mention. Handmade by master bat maker Harry Solomon using English willow clefts sourced from their associate company, Wombat Willow, these bats offer exceptional quality. And for a truly individual piece, their bespoke service allows for a fully customised bat design.
Alongside their bats, Wombat Cricket stocks a wide array of gear, including pads, gloves, wicketkeeper equipment, and stylish bags, catering to players of all abilities.
Plus, their bundle deals, such as a bat, pads and gloves from £375, offer great value.
Whether you’re a local player gearing up for the season or looking for the best equipment for your youngster, Wombat Cricket is your go-to in the Southwest.
7. Prophecy Cricket
Based in Manchester, Prophecy Cricket is on a mission to grow the game we love. Beyond retail, the company runs an exciting sponsorship scheme, proactively looking to support young talent with awesome kit.
As a comprehensive all-gear shop, Prophecy offers a wide array of quality equipment designed for every type of player. From bats crafted from premium English willow to full-range protective gear and corking cricket balls, there is something for everyone.
Innovation, craftsmanship and affordability are at the brand’s core, and their products are meticulously designed to meet the demands of the modern game, without taking a toll on your budget.
Additionally, their attractive bundle deals provide excellent value, such as:
- The Prophecy Vision Players Bundle: Bat, pads and gloves from £338
- The Pro Bundle: Bat, batting pads, gloves and a duffle bag from £422
- The Wicket Keeping Bundle: Wicket-keeping gloves, inners and pads from £149
Whether you’re looking for individual items or cost-effective bundled deals, Prophecy delivers.
8. Kippax Cricket
With over five decades of experience, Kippax Cricket is another Yorkshire company that doesn’t disappoint on exceptional craftsmanship. Their bats, made from some of the world’s finest woods, offer beautiful and consistent quality.
Kippax’s secret lies in their complete control over the entire process—from planting and harvesting the willow in their own Yorkshire woodlands, right through to splitting, drying, pressing and, finally, crafting the bats by hand, organically and sustainably.
Adding to their innovation, their unique WAVEX handles incorporate a special wave structure designed to reduce handle friction and vibration.
In addition to their bats, Kippax also offers a range of top-quality protective gear (gloves, pads), as used in international and first-class matches, alongside wheelie and duffel bags, and whites.
Check out some of their bundle deals:
- Pads, gloves and bag at £220
- 10 players edition bats (2024 5-star KX-R) at £3,000
- Players’ edition bat, gloves and pads from £450 to £460
9. Hell4Leather (H4L)
Founded in 2005 by cricketers Matt Barton and Adam Larking, Hell4Leather (H4L) is all about bespoke craftsmanship and traditional techniques. Operating from their “Rocket Factory” in Ashford, Kent, H4L specialises in handmade cricket bats crafted from premium English willow, grown and sustainably managed in Kent and Essex.
Matt stands out as one of the country’s leading figures in bat craftsmanship. Each H4L bat is individually shaped by Matt himself, who selects low-density, high-performance grains to maximise both power and responsiveness.
Additionally, H4L provides custom batting pads and gloves, reflecting their dedication to detail. Their striking, iconic baggy caps are also available, crafted authentically from 100% wool.
If you’re a cricketer who values the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern performance, H4L could be what you’ve been searching for.
10. Kingsport
Kingsport is well known in the Australian cricket community; less so in the UK. The brand offers a range of awesome gear online at fairly affordable prices. For example, you can get a quality zip jacket and track bottoms for under £40.
Known for its dedication to top-quality equipment catering to both professional and recreational players, Kingsport stands out for the functionality and bold designs of its gear. The brand’s clothing and protective equipment prioritise performance and aesthetics, making the company a favourite among players in Australia and beyond.
Offering durable and lightweight gloves, pads, and bags in cool colour combinations, Kingsport also demonstrates its strength in the bat market. The excellent Kingsport Noble Willow, priced around £350, is a testament to this—a premium Grade 2/3 English Willow Players Edition classic (2 lb 9 oz, mid sweet spot).
For clothing, quality bats, and reliable protection, the brand is well worth checking out. If you plan to purchase a bat, be sure to check that it’s suitable for English wickets.
11. Ram Cricket
With over 20 years of experience, Ram Cricket has established itself as a specialist in affordable cricket gear tailored for schools, clubs, and grassroots players.
Currently, they offer what is arguably one of the best value bundles on the market, a must-know for new players and budget-conscious clubs. The Challenger Players Bundle provides an incredible package for just £90:
- A Ram Challenger bat (a solid Kashmir willow bat)
- Gloves
- Pads
- A kit bag
Robust and reliable for regular practice and weekend games, this equipment offers great value at a cheap and cheerful ninety quid.
Wrapping Up
So, the next time you’re in the market for new cricket gear, remember that the landscape extends far beyond the familiar giants.
These 11 independent brands, each with their unique strengths and passions, offer a compelling alternative. From the Village Cricket Co.’s budget-friendly brilliance to bespoke craftsmanship from B3 Cricket, exploring these under-the-radar options could be the key to unlocking your best game yet.
Don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path; your perfect cricket bat or kit might just be waiting to be discovered.
