Opportunities

Each year it is estimated that more than 4,000,000 cricket bats are made in India alone to meet the needs of its cricketers, yet only 400,000 clefts of quality Cricket Bat Willow are produced.

The short supply results in the use of sub-standard materials (such as arguably environment unfriendly artificial bats) and the "upgrading" of timber quality from questionable suppliers in order to meet the increasing demands of the competitive cricketers.

10,000 trees per year need to be planted to meet future demands of the game if ICC objectives are to be realised, thus creating a greater need for sustainable Cricket Bat Willow plantings.

About Cricket Bat Willow

Cricket Bat Willow (Salix alba var. caerulea) is a renewable resource when it is grown under sustainable forest management principles, and through the Willow Blue cricket forestry initiative we will not only encourage further plantings of Cricket Bat Willow, but provide significant property value-added enhancement complementing the regional Tourism industry.

Cricket Bat Willow is a twist free straight, strong fibred, close grain timber that takes finishes such as stains, paints and foils. It is ideal for picture frame moulding.

Amongst other things, Willow Blue will promote a product that contributes to Kyoto Protocol goals.