Gunn & Moore Rival Signature Cricket Bat
The Gunn & Moore Rival Signature Cricket Bat is a Grade 2 English willow cricket bat designed for competitive cricketers who favour attacking stroke play and a fast, responsive pickup. Made in Nottingham with a low swell, F2 face and Powerarc bow, the Rival Signature puts plenty of hitting volume towards the lower blade while retaining the balance needed to play confidently around the ground.
It is particularly well suited to batters who get onto the front foot, attack fuller bowling and like to hit strongly through the line. The Rival profile also provides useful versatility for players competing across T20, one day and longer format cricket.
The Rival Signature is made from Grade 2 English willow, making it a high quality option for regular competitive cricket. The Rival range retains the same underlying playing characteristics across its different willow grades, with higher grade models providing an increasingly refined feel and more consistent response at impact.
The Rival combines a low swell, F2 face, Powerarc bow and substantial toe depth. This concentrates plenty of shape towards the lower hitting area, making it particularly relevant for front foot dominant players who regularly attack full deliveries.
The shape is not limited to front foot cricket. The Rival is designed to provide clean, consistent ball striking across the blade, allowing players to score effectively through both front foot and back foot shots.
GM NOW! Preparation
The Rival Signature comes with GM NOW! preparation, a protective facing and ToeTek™ already fitted. GM has therefore completed its preparation process before purchase, so you can begin introducing the bat into the nets without completing the traditional knocking in process yourself.
We still recommend a gradual introduction to harder cricket balls. Begin with gentle throwdowns and an older ball, then progress through spin and seam bowling before using the bat against a hard new ball in match conditions.
Who is the GM Rival Signature best for?
The GM Rival Signature is best for competitive club cricketers who favour attacking batting, quick scoring and a free flowing swing. Its low swell particularly suits players who get forward and attack full deliveries, while the responsive profile remains capable across front foot and back foot stroke play.
It is designed for multi format cricket and suits players competing across T20, one day and longer formats.
Key features
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Grade 2 English willow
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555 mm blade length
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Low swell concentrates the profile towards the lower hitting area
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F2 face profile
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Powerarc bow works with the low swell
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Treble spring multi piece cane handle
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DXM 2.0 technology
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Made in Nottingham
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GM NOW!, protective facing and ToeTek™ fitted
Why buy a Gunn & Moore cricket bat from Players Sports?
Choosing the right English willow cricket bat is about more than the grade on the sticker. Players Sports can help you compare weight, pickup, balance and profile across our multi brand cricket range, so you can choose a bat that suits the way you actually play.
Visit Players Sports Greenlane at 1–7 Marewa Road for specialist cricket advice and access to our Cricket Bat Workshop, or shop online with New Zealand wide delivery. Players Sports combines a broad multi brand range with the advice and accountability of a New Zealand owned sports specialist.
Frequently asked questions
What grade English willow is the GM Rival Signature?
The Gunn & Moore Rival Signature is made from Grade 2 English willow. It provides the same core Rival profile found throughout the range, with the grade determining the quality and refinement of the willow used.
What type of batter suits the GM Rival Signature?
The GM Rival Signature particularly suits attacking batters who favour a fast pickup, free flowing swing and front foot stroke play. Its low swell and substantial toe depth put plenty of hitting volume towards the lower section of the blade.
Is the GM Rival suitable for both front foot and back foot batting?
Yes. Although its low swell particularly suits front foot attacking shots, the Rival is designed to provide consistent ball striking across the blade and perform through both front foot and back foot stroke play.
Does the GM Rival Signature need knocking in?
The Rival Signature comes with GM NOW! preparation, a protective facing and ToeTek™ fitted, so GM has already completed its preparation process. We still recommend several progressive net sessions with an older ball before facing a hard new cricket ball in match conditions.
This Gunn & Moore bat comes fitted with a facing, GM NOW! and ToeTek™ so you can hit the nets straight away skipping the knock in process if you like.
GM NOW!
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“Knocked-in” by the Gunn & Moore bat makers in Nottingham. Raw linseed oil has been applied to reduce cracking and splitting by maintaining the moisture level of the blade, with a clear bat facing also applied to the face and edges to increase blade durability.
TOETEK ™
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DriGuard applied to resist dampness and minimise toe swelling. A specially shaped resilient toe shield has also been fitted to toe of bat. This helps reduces toe damage and feathering that is often caused by tapping at the crease. We recommend avoiding tapping your bat at the crease, or only doing so softly.
| Senior Cricket Bats | |
| Bat Size | Player Height (cm) |
| Long Blade | 185 + |
| Short Handle | 175 - 183 |
| Small Adult | 170 - 175 |
| Please use the above as a guide only. | |
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