Your Buying Guide to the Gray-Nicolls 2026/27 Cricket Range
Five bat ranges, an Australian-made Handcrafted family, and 150 years of bat making behind them. Here is how the new Gray-Nicolls season range fits together, and how to pick the right gear for your game.
Which Gray-Nicolls is yours? Answer four quick questions.
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Now let's get your bat size right.
Gray-Nicolls sizes bats on player height: the player should lift the bat comfortably into their normal backlift. Set the height and we will match it to the exact size.
Size 5
For players 150 to 157cm
See the full size chart for gloves, leg guards and helmets.
The 2026/27 Gray-Nicolls range has landed at Highmark Cricket, and it carries serious pedigree: 150 years of bat making history, an entire Handcrafted family made in Australia, and ranges carried by Travis Head, Cameron Green, Mitch Marsh, Beth Mooney and Kane Williamson. This guide walks through every range in the new season drop, decodes Gray-Nicolls model numbers and finishes in plain language, and helps you land on the right bat, gloves and protection for the season ahead.
Two decisions matter most. The range sets the character of your bat: its profile, bow, edges and the face technology behind it. The model sets the grade of willow and level of finish within that range. Get those two right and everything else follows.
Key takeaways
- Choose the range first (shape, balance, character), then the model (willow grade and budget), then the size.
- The 2026/27 ranges are Fusion, Nova 4.0, Vector and Volt, plus the Australian-made Handcrafted family from Legend down to Steel.
- Within each range, a higher model number means a higher grade of willow: a Fusion 2500 outranks a 1500, which outranks an 1100.
- Finishes tell you how much preparation is left: Natural Blade needs oiling and knocking in, Play Now is largely prepared, ReadyPlay is ready straight away.
- GEM is Gray-Nicolls' narrow fit for women and teens, across bats, gloves and leg guards.
- Two face technologies split the range: rounded POWERCURVE for the feel of stroke play, ACCU-DRIVE flat face for rebound and control.
The ranges at a glance
| Range | Character | Face | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova 4.0 | Versatile all-formats, light pickup, all-round shot making | POWERCURVE | Travis Head, Kane Williamson, Annabel Sutherland |
| Fusion | Carbon-stiffened handle for extra power, square toe | ACCU-DRIVE | Mitch Marsh, Beth Mooney, Daryl Mitchell, Beau Webster |
| Vector | Power through the whole hitting area, feather-light pickup | POWERCURVE | Marcus Stoinis, Tahlia McGrath, Aaron Hardie |
| Volt | Front-foot dominance without giving up the back foot | POWERCURVE | Cooper Connolly, Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr |
| Handcrafted family | Australian-made classics: Legend, Players, Silver, Ultimate, Prestige, Select, Crest, Steel | Both | Cameron Green (Players) |
| Colossus & Giant | Big-bat power: huge edges, heavier weights, stand and deliver | POWERCURVE | The big hitters |
One term worth knowing before the detail: the bow is the curve of the blade from handle to toe. A bigger bow pushes the sweet spot lower and suits front-foot drivers; an even bow keeps the bat balanced for all-round play. Gray-Nicolls pairs it with two face shapes: the rounded POWERCURVE face, which enhances the feel of stroke play, and the ACCU-DRIVE flat face, which enhances rebound and control.
Range by range
The all-format all-rounder
- Profile Mid
- Bow Even
- Pickup Light
- Edges Large
- Face Rounded POWERCURVE
Refreshed, streamlined styling and a mid profile built for versatility across all formats. The Nova 4.0 rewards clean, controlled hitting anywhere in the ground, and its endorsement list says everything: Travis Head, Kane Williamson, Annabel Sutherland and Georgia Plimmer. Models run from the handcrafted Players Edition and 2200 through 1200, 800, 700 and 450, with junior English Willow sizes down to size 2 and a Nova 4.0 XT Kashmir Willow junior option.
Carbon-charged power
- Profile Mid, full players shape
- Bow Medium
- Pickup Light
- Edges Large
- Face ACCU-DRIVE flat
The Fusion's signature is invisible: an innovative layer of carbon in the handle that stiffens it to help generate more power, paired with a square toe and an ACCU-DRIVE flat face for rebound and control. Mitch Marsh, Beth Mooney, Daryl Mitchell and Beau Webster all carry it ("Seriously unreal... it's a dream to bat with", says Mooney). Every Fusion model is made in Australia, from the Players and 2500 down to the 1100, plus the heavier Monster, a junior 1500 and the Fusion CX Kashmir junior.
Raw power, feather-light feel
- Profile Mid
- Bow Slight
- Pickup Feather light
- Edges Generous
- Face Rounded POWERCURVE
The Vector's spine extends all the way to the toe, so the power does not fade as you move down the blade: the entire hitting area works for you. Marcus Stoinis, Tahlia McGrath and Aaron Hardie carry it. The handcrafted 1800 leads the line, with 950, 650 and 550 models, a junior 950, the entry Force, and the Vector SuperBlade Kashmir junior running all the way down to size 00 for the smallest cricketers.
The front-foot run machine
- Profile Mid
- Bow Even
- Pickup Light
- Edges Medium
- Face Rounded POWERCURVE
Volt is built to take command of the scoreboard: a slightly rounded toe and even bow for controlled hitting, ideally suited to strong front-foot play without sacrificing the back foot. Cooper Connolly, Georgia Voll, Amelia Kerr and Tim Robinson carry it. The handcrafted 1400 tops the range, followed by the 1050, 750, 600 (including a GEM size) and the ReadyPlay 500, plus the Volt Strike Kashmir junior.
The Australian-made classics
- Made Handcrafted in Australia
- Profile Mid (Players: full)
- Pickup Light to super light
- Face POWERCURVE or ACCU-DRIVE
Every bat in this family is handcrafted in Australia by the same craftsmen who build Gray-Nicolls' first-class players' bats. The Legend is the pinnacle of 150 years of bat making. Players is new for 2026: a full-profile shape modelled on top professionals' bats and endorsed by Cameron Green. Below them sit Silver (unrivalled balance), Ultimate and Select (ACCU-DRIVE control), Prestige (performs at any level), Crest (super light, with a GEM size) and the new Steel (sharp, responsive, versatile).
Stand and deliver
- Profile Mid
- Edges Huge to massive
- Weight 2lb 12oz and up
- Face Rounded POWERCURVE
Not for the faint hearted. The Colossus gives you the power of a heavier bat with thick shoulders and toe, yet is so well balanced it picks up like a bat of much smaller proportions. The Giant goes further still: made to the very limits of the MCC's laws, with massive edges, for players who like to stand and deliver. Both are handcrafted in Australia.
Want to see everything new this season in one place?
Shop all 2026/27 cricket batsModel numbers and finishes, explained
Where Kookaburra uses named grades, Gray-Nicolls uses model numbers, and the rule is simple: within a range, higher means better willow. A Fusion 2500 sits above the 1500 and 1100; a Nova 4.0 2200 sits above the 1200, 800, 700 and 450; a Vector 1800 above the 950, 650 and 550; a Volt 1400 above the 1050, 750, 600 and 500. Players Edition models are built to professional specifications and lead each range.
Two construction notes worth knowing. The top models in each range (Fusion all models, Nova 4.0 Players and 2200, Vector 1800, Volt 1400) are handcrafted in Australia. And a few value models (Nova 4.0 700, Vector 550) use laminated English Willow with Edgetec reinforcement, which trades a little purist appeal for durability.
The finish tells you how much preparation is left
| Finish | What it means | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Blade | Uncovered face. Needs oiling and a proper knock-in before match use | Purists who want the willow raw and are happy to prepare it |
| Play Now | Preparation largely done at the factory | Players who want premium willow without the prep work |
| ReadyPlay | Ready to use straight away | Juniors and anyone who wants to walk out and bat |
Kashmir Willow juniors (Fusion CX, Nova 4.0 XT, Volt Strike, Vector SuperBlade) all come in ReadyPlay finish: pick up, play, no preparation at all.
GEM: the narrow fit for women and teens
One of the most useful things in the 2026/27 Gray-Nicolls range is also one of the easiest to miss. GEM is Gray-Nicolls' narrow fit sizing, designed for women and teens, and it runs right across the range: bats (Fusion 1500, Nova 4.0 700, Volt 600 and the super-light Crest all come in GEM), batting gloves and leg guards. If a standard adult size has always felt too wide or too heavy, GEM is the size to try before anything else. Sitting between Youth and Small Adult in the sizing chart, it fills the exact gap most ranges leave open.
Match your kit to your bat
The 2026/27 range carries the same family names through gloves, leg guards and keeping gear, so your kit can match your bat from the sticker down.
Batting gloves
The ladder runs Legend Gold and Legend at the top, through Players, Silver, Prestige and Select, down to the Ultra Light, with GEM narrow fit sizes available. Padded, fingerless and full-finger inners sit underneath for comfort. Shop Gray-Nicolls batting gloves.
Batting leg guards
The same families again: Legend, Silver, Prestige, Select, Ultra Light and the lightweight Evazone, sized from XSmall Junior through to XLarge Adult with GEM narrow fit in between. Clads coloured covers are available for club formats.
Wicket keeping
Keeping gloves from Legend Gold and Legend through the GN 2000, Limited Edition, Prestige and GN 750, with XRD and Players padded inners, and matching keeping leg guards. Shop Gray-Nicolls keeping gear.
Helmets
The Ultimate 360 Pro and Ultimate 360 lead the line, with the Atomic 360 and Junior Elite covering club and junior players, all with neckguard options.
Bags
Wheel bags run Legend Gold, Legend, Silver and Prestige, with the GN 2000 and duffle options below. Shop Gray-Nicolls kit bags.
From range to size to ordered: three steps
Buying the right bat online comes down to a simple sequence. Get the range right, get the size right, then order with confidence.
Find your range
Use the range finder at the top of this page, or read the range-by-range breakdown above. The range decides the shape, balance and character of your bat.
Get your size
Gray-Nicolls sizes on height: the player should lift the bat comfortably into their normal backlift. Check the height table below, then confirm on the Highmark size guide.
Order your bat
Head to your range's collection, filter to your size, and pick the model number your budget allows. Every 26/27 bat ships fast from our Melbourne store, Australia wide.
Gray-Nicolls bat sizing by height
| Player height | Recommended bat size |
|---|---|
| 188cm and over | Long Blade (LB) |
| 175cm and over | Short Handle (SH) |
| 170 to 178cm | Small (lean build or lighter pickup) |
| 168 to 175cm | GEM (narrow fit for women and teens) |
| 163 to 168cm | Youth |
| 157 to 163cm | Size 6 |
| 150 to 157cm | Size 5 |
| 144 to 150cm | Size 4 |
| 137 to 144cm | Size 3 |
| 129 to 137cm | Size 2 |
| 122 to 129cm | Size 1 |
| 110 to 122cm | Size 0 |
| Up to 110cm | Size 00 |
One more decision inside step 3: model and finish. Buy the highest model number your budget allows, and if you want to play straight away, look for Play Now or ReadyPlay finishes rather than Natural Blade.
Still torn between two bats? That is what we are here for. The Highmark team handles this exact conversation every day of the season, and we would rather you ask twice than buy the wrong bat once.
Found your range? Lock in your size before you order.
Open the size guideFrequently asked questions
Which Gray-Nicolls range should I choose for 2026/27?
Match the range to your style. Nova 4.0 suits versatile all-format players, Fusion adds carbon-handle power for aggressive hitting, Vector blends power with a feather-light pickup, Volt rewards strong front-foot play, and the Handcrafted family covers the classic Australian-made bats from Legend to Steel.
What do Gray-Nicolls model numbers like 2500 or 950 mean?
Within each Gray-Nicolls range, a higher model number means a higher grade of English Willow and a more premium build. A Fusion 2500 sits above a Fusion 1500 and 1100, and Players Edition models are built to professional specifications.
What is the difference between Natural Blade, Play Now and ReadyPlay finishes?
Natural Blade bats have an uncovered face and need oiling and knocking in before match use. Play Now bats arrive with the preparation work largely done. ReadyPlay bats are ready to use straight away, ideal for juniors and anyone who wants to play immediately.
What is Gray-Nicolls GEM sizing?
GEM is Gray-Nicolls' narrow fit sizing designed for women and teens. It appears across bats, batting gloves and leg guards in the 2026/27 range, with lighter weights and a narrower fit than standard adult sizes.
Are Gray-Nicolls bats made in Australia?
The Handcrafted family (Legend, Players, Silver, Ultimate, Prestige, Select, Colossus, Crest, Giant and Steel) is handcrafted in Australia, along with the top models in the named ranges such as the Fusion range, Nova 4.0 Players Edition, Vector 1800 and Volt 1400.
What is the difference between a POWERCURVE face and an ACCU-DRIVE face?
A rounded POWERCURVE face enhances the feel of stroke play, suiting players who value touch and timing. An ACCU-DRIVE flat face enhances rebound and control, suiting players who want a sharper, more responsive hitting surface.
What size Gray-Nicolls bat do I need?
Gray-Nicolls sizes bats by player height: Long Blade for 188cm and over, Short Handle from 175cm, the Small for lean builds around 170 to 178cm, GEM (the narrow fit for women and teens) at 168 to 175cm, Youth at 163 to 168cm, and junior sizes 6 down to 00. The player should be able to lift the bat comfortably into their normal backlift.
Which Gray-Nicolls bats do professional players use?
In the 2026/27 range, Cameron Green endorses the handcrafted Players bat, Mitch Marsh and Beth Mooney carry the Fusion, Travis Head and Kane Williamson use the Nova 4.0, Marcus Stoinis and Tahlia McGrath use the Vector, and Cooper Connolly and Georgia Voll carry the Volt.
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