Supreme Adoration: Salix Edition

Fresh Take:

Striding into the sun-kissed courtyard of Salix, the cricketing world's legendary bat maker, you can almost feel the history humming in the air. With a legacy steeped in tradition, Salix hasn't rested on its laurels; instead, it's charged forward, freshened up, and transformed for the modern age. Long-time enthusiast Phil Walker stepped into this hallowed ground to witness the magic that's been brewing behind the scenes.

Upon arrival, the iconic signage greets, its letters begging for a brush-up. To the left sits the front-of-house showroom, gleaming with bats ready for purchase. Opposite lies the nerve center, Andrew Kember's workshop—a cosmos of lathes, pressing machines, and stacks of clefts organized like Jenga blocks. Here, in the heart of the action, a young apprentice, Sam, (who turns out to be Kel's son), works diligently, preparing handles for the bats destined to carry the Salix name.

Andrew Kember, the mastermind behind the operation, greets us with a warm hug, sending a shower of dust and woodchips skyward from his tattered pullover. Surrounded by the chaos of the workshop, it's evident that each detail has been carefully thought out and executed with precision.

"There's four of us here full-time," Kember explains, "Kel and I, plus Sam and Luke, and then there's Hugh, who's here once a week to put the handles in. When Kel and I tried to do it on our own a couple of years ago, it was hell," he chuckles. "We managed to get everything done, but it's a much smoother operation now. We're moving bats through the workshop much better than we have done in the past."

Kember, who got his start at the prestigious Newbery stable, sees his role as preserving a legacy. "There aren't many people now offering apprenticeships to make cricket bats. There's an awful lot of bats being made by people who have taught themselves. Not that that's wrong, but there's a difference between that and learning from people who have been doing it for many years."

The workshop, chaotic as it may seem, operates like a well-oiled machine: after the handles are fitted, Luke takes over for initial shaping, following by Sam, who cares for the initial rasping, shaping, and refining the handle. Kel then takes over, sanding, doing the handles, binding, and overseeing the polishing. Finally, the duo collaborate on the stickering. This smooth rotation has allowed Salix to produce more bats per year while never compromising on quality.

"Never having to turn people away, but there is a waiting list for premium bats because of that shortage of top pieces of wood," Kember explains. "Those who are eager to get their top-end stuff, within a few weeks they get what they ordered. We are keen for more business now. We believe we can get bats through quicker than ever before."

Unveiling ACID: Where Tradition Meets the Future

While the classic Salix bat remains a market leader,Salix has expanded its offering with the ACID range to target diverse cricket styles. "ACID," Kember explains, "is a nod to the explosive, aggressive nature of modern T20 cricket. We've taken the Asian look—flat, big, purposeful—and implemented it into our own model."

ACID bats are characterized by their size, weight, and density—perfect for aggressive hitters seeking maximum power in their shots. In addition to appealing to the growing North American market, ACID bats have caught the eye of younger players in the UK.

"One influences the other," Kember remarks. "ACID is big and garish, but it's effective, and the kids like it. And Salix is the exact opposite."

Offering both the ACID range and the classic Salix models, Salix can cater to a variety of playing styles, from traditional to the modern-day T20 enthusiast. As the cricket landscape evolves, Salix stands poised for growth, blending tradition with innovation to meet the demands of a changing game. Long live the kings of cricket bat making!

Supreme Adoration: Salix Edition