Gunn & Moore Noir Original Cricket Bat

Gunn & Moore Noir Original Cricket Bat

The Gunn & Moore Noir Original Cricket Bat is a Grade 1 English willow cricket bat designed for players who want power, responsiveness and a balanced feel through the hands. Re-engineered for 2026, the Noir combines an F4.5 face profile with a mid-to-low swell, creating a powerful all-round shape suited to aggressive stroke-making across different areas of the crease.

The defining feature of the Noir is its mid-to-low swell. This positions more of the blade depth through the middle and lower portion of the bat, creating a substantial hitting zone for players who want to attack fuller deliveries while retaining enough versatility to score from a range of ball positions.

The F4.5 Face Profile complements that shape. Combined with the Noir's pronounced profile, it is designed to produce clean, consistent ball striking across a broad range of shots while retaining a forgiving sweet spot. For the batter, the practical benefit is a shape built around power without requiring the bat to feel unnecessarily cumbersome in the hands.

The Noir Original is made from Grade 1 English Willow, placing it at the premium end of the Gunn & Moore range.

GM NOW! preparation

The GM Noir Original comes with GM NOW! preparation, protective facing and ToeTek™ fitted, reducing the preparation required before you begin using the bat.

We still recommend gradually introducing any new English willow bat to harder impacts. Start with gentle throwdowns using an older cricket ball before progressing through spin and seam bowling in the nets. This gives the prepared willow time to condition before facing a hard new ball in match play.

Who is the GM Noir Original best for?

The GM Noir Original is best for accomplished cricketers looking for premium Grade 1 English willow with a powerful mid-to-low profile and balanced feel.

Its combination of an F4.5 face and mid-to-low swell makes it particularly relevant to aggressive stroke-makers who want to hit hard while retaining enough versatility to score across different areas of the ground. The shape also makes the Noir well suited to attacking limited-overs cricket.

Key features

• Grade 1 English Willow.

• Mid-to-low swell positions substantial blade depth through the middle and lower hitting area.

• F4.5 Face Profile.

• 555 mm blade length.

• Treble spring multi-piece cane handle.

• Black GM Fuze Grip.

• GM NOW! Preparation.

• Protective facing and ToeTek™ fitted provide additional protection to the prepared blade and toe.

How does the GM Noir profile play?

The Noir's mid-to-low swell places the maximum blade depth lower in the blade. This makes it particularly relevant to aggressive players who want substantial shape through a commonly used hitting area while retaining versatility across different ball positions.

For T20 and other attacking formats, the combination of the mid-to-low swell, F4.5 face and pronounced profile gives the Noir the power-focused characteristics suited to aggressive stroke play.

Why buy a Gunn & Moore cricket bat from Players Sports?

Choosing the right English willow cricket bat is about more than willow grade. At Players Sports Greenlane, 1–7 Marewa Road, you can compare bats across our multi-brand cricket range and assess the pick-up, balance, weight and profile that suit the way you bat. Our Cricket Bat Workshop can also help with preparation, protection and ongoing repairs.

Players Sports combines specialist cricket knowledge with the range and accountability of a New Zealand-owned sports retailer.

Frequently asked questions

What grade of willow is the GM Noir Original Cricket Bat?

The GM Noir Original is made from Grade 1 English Willow. This provides premium willow selection for players looking towards the higher end of the GM range, although we still recommend considering individual weight, balance and pick-up alongside willow grade.

Is the GM Noir Original suited to T20 cricket?

Yes. The Noir's mid-to-low swell, F4.5 face and pronounced profile are designed for aggressive stroke play, making it particularly relevant to T20 and other attacking formats.

Why does the GM Noir use a mid-to-low swell?

A mid-to-low swell positions the maximum blade depth lower in the blade, creating a substantial hitting area across different ball positions. This gives the Noir its power-focused character while retaining versatility for players who score through a range of strokes.

Does the GM Noir Original need knocking in?

The Noir Original comes with GM NOW! preparation, protective facing and ToeTek™ fitted, reducing the preparation required. We still recommend gradually introducing the bat to harder impacts, beginning with gentle throwdowns and an older cricket ball before progressing through net sessions and eventually a hard new ball.

Where is the GM Noir Original Cricket Bat made?

The GM Noir Original is made at the Gunn & Moore factory in Nottingham, England. It uses Grade 1 English Willow with a 555 mm blade, treble spring multi-piece cane handle and F4.5 face profile.

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.