As part of our Wisden Gear Showcase – brought to you in association with Pro:Direct Cricket – we’ve been testing out plenty of cricket bats ahead of the new season.

Earlier this winter our writers took a break from their laptops and took to the nets to try out the best ones going. Here are five that stood out from the pack.

Chase Volante R7

RRP £227

A beautifully balanced bat, with an easy pick-up, an easy swing, and easy power. Very little effort was required to send the ball racing away with it. It was like batting on easy mode. Sam Dyer

New Balance DC1080 

RRP £445.50

The DC blade is special. Lines and lines and lines. A grain, neat and ram-packed, to make a purist’s heart coo. Great pick-up too. It felt like a nice mix of a classical bat but with hefty modern edges and incredibly lightweight despite being a big chunk of wood. The sort of bat I’d strip the stickers off and just let the willow speak for itself. Probably not what the sponsors had in mind… Jim Wallace

Gunn & Moore Siren 909 

RRP £279

Exceptional bat. Perfect pick-up and very light – probably nearer 2.7 than 2.8. A formidable option for the classic, wristy, all-round stroke-maker, offering outstanding playability for those who target all areas of the wagon wheel. Rich Evans

Gray-Nicolls Powerbow Inferno Pro Performance bat

RRP £425

The feel and sound of the Powerbow Inferno was unrivalled, even if it did need an oiling. I found the sweet spot with a few lofted drives and it ticked all the boxes for me. RE

Kookaburra Ghost 2.2

RRP £377.50

Over the years I’ve consistently gone back to Kookaburra. I’ve used their bats more than any other. I still have dreams about the Ridgeback (see G. Thorpe circa 1994) I had as a kid. It’s that mix of classical design, ease of pick-up and attitude that does it for me. From the wide range they sent to us this year, the Ghost is the standout. Not cheap, but an outstandingly polished cricket bat. Phil Walker

There’s plenty of more from the Wisden Gear Showcase in Wisden Cricket Monthly. Subscribe here