GM 2027 Cricket Bats, Bat by Bat
Seven profiles. Two blade lengths. One question: where do you hit the ball? The complete GM range — Cannon to Radon — compared properly, with photos of the actual bats.
Which GM Bat Should You Buy? The 30-Second Answer
All-round stroke play: Diamond or the new Cannon. Front-foot power: Azora or Maxi. Fastest pick-up, back-foot play: Galaxy. Traditional blade, modern power: Rival. Best value English willow: Radon.
Find Your GM Bat in 10 Seconds
Answer two questions — the guide does the rest.
1 · Where do you score most of your runs?
2 · What matters most?
GM Bat Comparison: Sweet Spot, Blade Length & Best For
The scorecard version of this guide — the whole range on one screen.
| Bat | Blade | Sweet spot | Face | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM Cannon | L555 | Mid-to-low | F4.5 | Attacking all-rounders |
| GM Azora | L540 | Low | F2 | Front-foot dominators who play through the line. |
| GM Maxi | L540 | Low | F2 | Clean strikers and T20 hitters who impose themselves from ball one. |
| GM Galaxy | L540 | Mid-to-high | F2 | Fast hands |
| GM Diamond | L555 | Mid | F4.5 | All-round stroke-makers and long innings |
| GM Rival | L555 | Mid-to-low | F2 | Aggressive players who want L555 length with a modern, low, powerful shape. |
| GM Radon Select | Choice | Choice of profiles & weights | Performance | Players who want English willow value without losing performance. |
The Sweet Spot Map: Where Each GM Bat Does Its Damage
Read it low to high — it decides which shots feel effortless.
Front-foot power
Attack all round
Every shot, balanced
Fast pick-up, back foot
The dot marks the centre of the sweet spot. Pick the sweet spot where you play most of your scoring shots.
Low — Azora, Maxi
Mass near the toe. Drives and lofts feel enormous; low, slow pitches reward it. Short balls ask more of your timing.
Mid-to-low — Cannon, Rival
The modern all-round zone. Nearly low-swell power, with enough balance to play all round the wicket.
Mid & mid-to-high — Diamond, Galaxy
Mass higher up, so the bat feels lighter than it weighs. Cuts, pulls and late shots come off fast.
Every GM Bat, Head to Head
In batting order — profile, full specs, pros and cons.
GM Cannon · JB82 — Cricket Bat Profile
Jacob Bethell’s bat — built to change the game
Designed with Jacob Bethell for players who attack from ball one. Substantial edges and a flowing spine, yet an effortless pick-up — finished with GM’s Pro-Lite grip, its lightest ever.
| Blade | L555 traditional |
| Handle | 295mm |
| Face | F4.5 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Mid-to-low |
| Grip | Pro-Lite |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 909, 808, Signature, 606, 404, 404 Lite |
Pros
- Power and balance in one bat
- Big edges, full flowing spine
- Lightest GM grip, superb control
Watch out
- Not the lowest sweet spot for pure front-foot specialists
- Traditional length only
Best for: Attacking all-rounders — drives, pulls and big shots in the same innings.
GM Azora · NEW · 2027 — Cricket Bat Profile
The brand-new GM shape — power, refined
A completely new GM silhouette for 2027. An imposing, sweeping profile that feels effortless in the hands and delivers serious authority at impact.
| Blade | L540 shortened |
| Handle | 310mm |
| Face | F2 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Low |
| Grip | Fuze |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 909, 808, Signature, 606, 404 · Delta 808 / 606 / 404 |
Pros
- Huge low hitting zone
- Best weight-to-feel ratio in the range
- Delta option for a superlight pick-up
Watch out
- Low swell asks more on bouncy pitches
- Front-foot bias — see Galaxy for back-foot play
Best for: Front-foot dominators who play through the line.
GM Maxi · 2027 — Cricket Bat Profile
Maximum intent, zero restraint
The returning icon, in unmistakable yellow and black. A bold profile, pronounced low swell and a new extended spine for 2027 — this bat was never designed to blend in.
| Blade | L540 shortened |
| Handle | 310mm |
| Face | F2 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Low |
| Grip | Signet |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 808, Signature, 606, 404 · Delta 808 / 606 / 404 |
Pros
- The range’s outright power pick
- Extended spine: stable, massive hits
- Dynamic pick-up for its size
Watch out
- Too much bat for touch players
- Low swell is a specialist choice
Best for: Clean strikers and T20 hitters who impose themselves from ball one.
GM Galaxy · 2027 — Cricket Bat Profile
Take the game beyond
The pick-up bat of the range. A shortened blade and extended spine give mass and stability, while the mid-to-high swell keeps it fast and light through the hands.
| Blade | L540 shortened |
| Handle | 310mm |
| Face | F2 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Mid-to-high |
| Grip | Galaxy |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 909, 808, Signature, 606, 404 |
Pros
- Fastest, lightest-feeling pick-up here
- Excellent balance for back-foot play
- Extended spine keeps real power
Watch out
- Least wood low down for digging out yorkers
- Less front-foot power than Azora / Maxi
Best for: Fast hands — cuts, pulls and late dabs.
GM Diamond · BS55 — Cricket Bat Profile
Ben Stokes’ bat — crafted for the uncompromising
Made with England captain Ben Stokes, with his tattoo-design livery and the Halo grip he uses himself. A balanced mid swell and a traditional full blade profile.
| Blade | L555 traditional |
| Handle | 295mm |
| Face | F4.5 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Mid |
| Grip | Halo |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 808, Signature, 606, 404, 404 Lite |
Pros
- The most balanced bat in this guide
- Full profile: biggest honest hitting area
- Every shot type is on
Watch out
- Specialists find more power (Maxi) or speed (Galaxy)
- Traditional shape, less dramatic than the L540 profiles
Best for: All-round stroke-makers and long innings — one bat for every format.
GM Rival — Cricket Bat Profile
Built to win — speed, precision, ruthlessness
Chequered-flag livery and a shape to match: low swell, huge toe depth and sweeping contours, with the Apex grip for traction when it counts.
| Blade | L555 traditional |
| Handle | 295mm |
| Face | F2 · Powerarc bow |
| Swell | Mid-to-low |
| Grip | Apex |
| Models | Limited Edition, Original, 909, 808, Signature, 606, 404 |
Pros
- Low-swell power on a traditional blade
- Huge toe — real confidence against the yorker
- Explosive pick-up
Watch out
- Low swell won’t suit high-sweet-spot players
- No superlight Delta version
Best for: Aggressive players who want L555 length with a modern, low, powerful shape.
GM Radon Select · BCS EXCLUSIVE — Cricket Bat Profile
Special edition — made exclusively for Best Cricket Store
An improved Radon at the same Radon price — great value without losing performance. Handcrafted in GM’s Nottingham factory from prime, seasoned English willow, in a bold 2026 blue and red design. It arrives factory prepared and knocked in, with an anti-scuff face fitted.
| Willow | Seasoned Grade 2, 3 or 4 English |
| Design | Bold 2026 · blue & red |
| Face | Anti-scuff · factory knocked-in |
| Swell | Choice of profiles & weights |
| Grip | Control — comfort, hold, control |
| Fitted | TOETEK™ toe guard |
Pros
- Improved Radon quality at the same Radon price
- Exclusive to Best Cricket Store — you won’t find it elsewhere
- Knocked in, anti-scuff face and toe guard fitted: ready to play
Watch out
- Willow grade varies (2, 3 or 4) by bat
- Fewer grains and finish than Original and above
Best for: Players who want English willow value without losing performance.
GM L540 vs L555: The 15mm That Changes Everything
Same overall length — the blade and handle simply trade 15mm.
| L555 — Traditional | L540 — Shortened | |
|---|---|---|
| Bats | Cannon, Diamond, Rival | Azora, Maxi, Galaxy |
| Feel | Classic, familiar, longer hitting lever | Compact, dynamic, faster through the hands |
| Sweet spot | Spread over a longer blade | Concentrated, dynamic sweet spot |
| Suits | Traditional technique, all-format players | Modern power game, quicker pick-up |
GM Bat Grades Explained: Player Grade to Grade 3 — and Delta
The shape never changes down the ladder — only the willow grade does.
| Willow grade | Models | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Player Grade | Original Limited Edition | The very best willow GM selects — the grade the pros play with, in limited numbers. |
| Grade 1 | Original · 909 | Top-grade English willow: clean, straight grains and the best ping outside Player Grade. |
| Grade 2 | 808 · Signature | Strong-performing willow with a few more marks — the ladder’s value sweet spot. |
| Grade 3 | 606 · 404 (incl. 404 Lite) | The accessible entry into the range — same shapes, honest willow, lowest prices. |
Delta is not a grade but a build — DXM 2.0 CAD/CAM machining for a superlight pick-up, available on Azora and Maxi 808 / 606 / 404 models.
How to Choose a GM Bat in 3 Steps
Where do you score?
Drives and lofts: low swell (Azora, Maxi). All round the wicket: mid-to-low or mid (Cannon, Rival, Diamond). Cuts and pulls: mid-to-high (Galaxy).
Pick your length
Traditional and familiar: L555. Compact and quick: L540. Then pick a weight you can still swing fast at the end of a long innings.
Set your grade
Player Grade: Limited Edition. Grade 1: Original, 909. Grade 2 value: 808, Signature. Grade 3 entry: 606, 404. First English willow: Radon Select. Want it lighter: add Delta.
GM Cricket Bats: Frequently Asked Questions
Are GM bats good?
Yes — GM (Gunn & Moore) is one of cricket’s most established bat makers. Every GM bat in this guide is made in England from prime English willow, shaped with GM’s DXM CAD/CAM precision, and the profiles are designed with international players — Ben Stokes and Jacob Bethell play GM bats built to their own specifications.
Who uses GM bats?
England captain Ben Stokes uses the Diamond BS55, built to his specification and named after his initials. Jacob Bethell uses the Cannon JB82, the headline new bat of the 2027 range. GM bats have been used by international and county players for generations.
Where are GM cricket bats made?
GM bats are handcrafted in GM’s own factory in Nottingham, England — from cleft to finished bat, including the Radon Select, which is made there exclusively for Best Cricket Store.
What does GM stand for in cricket?
GM stands for Gunn & Moore, the Nottingham bat maker founded in 1885. The initials on the sticker are the same ones on Ben Stokes’ and Jacob Bethell’s bats today.
How much is a GM cricket bat?
It depends on the willow grade, because the shape stays the same down the range. Grade 3 models (606, 404) are the entry point, Grade 2 (808, Signature) sits in the middle, Grade 1 (Original, 909) costs more, and Player Grade Limited Edition sits at the top. Exact prices are shown on each product page.
Which GM bat is the best?
For most players, the Diamond (BS55) — the most balanced profile in the range. For outright power, the Azora or Maxi. For the fastest pick-up, the Galaxy. For best value in real English willow, the Radon Select, made exclusively for Best Cricket Store. The finder at the top of this page picks yours in two taps.
How do I choose a GM cricket bat?
Three steps: (1) pick the sweet spot where you score — low for front-foot power, mid for all-round play, mid-to-high for back-foot speed; (2) pick your blade — L555 traditional or L540 shortened; (3) pick your grade — Player Grade, 1, 2 or 3 sets the willow quality and the price. The full walkthrough is in the ‘How to Choose’ section above.
What is new in the GM 2027 cricket bat range?
Two headline stories: the Cannon, designed with Jacob Bethell (JB82) — L555 blade, mid-to-low swell, Pro-Lite grip — and the Azora, a completely new profile with an L540 blade and low swell. The Maxi and Galaxy return with extended spines and L540 blades.
Found your bat?
Try the pick-up in our Naperville or Richmond stores, or order online — free US shipping on orders $199+.
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