SG Cobra Xtreme English Willow — Entry Into Real English Willow
There’s a clear line in cricket equipment between Kashmir Willow and English Willow — and crossing that line for the first time is a meaningful step for any club or recreational cricketer. English Willow, even at the entry grades, has a different character to Kashmir Willow. The wood is lighter, more responsive, and produces the kind of feel through the bat on a well-struck shot that Kashmir Willow simply cannot replicate. The Cobra Xtreme is SG’s accessible entry point into genuine English Willow — a hard-pressed Grade 5 blade built for recreational and grassroots club play, priced to make the step up to EW achievable for players at all levels.
SG — Sanspareils Greenlands — has been making cricket bats in Meerut since 1931. They supply the Indian national team. They know the game and they know the material. The Cobra Xtreme isn’t their flagship — it’s their honest entry-level EW offering — but it carries the same manufacturing quality and quality control that SG applies across their entire range.
It comes with a full-length coated fabric bat cover with adjustable carry straps included. For an entry-level EW bat, that’s a practical addition that protects the blade during transport and storage.
Grade 5 English Willow — Hard Pressed, Leather Ball Ready
The Cobra Xtreme uses Grade 5 English Willow — the entry grade in the SG English Willow range. Grade 5 blades typically show 4 to 6 grains across the face, with wider grain lines and more visible natural characteristics in the wood compared to Grade 1 or Grade 2. The willow is hard pressed at the factory — a mechanical compression process that conditions the surface of the blade and prepares it for match use with a leather ball without requiring the same level of extended manual knocking in that softer, higher-grade EW blades need.
Hard pressing compresses the outer fibres of the willow and creates a harder, more durable surface — better suited to the demands of regular play on abrasive surfaces, and more forgiving for players who don’t go through the full traditional preparation process. The bat is tested and confirmed suitable for leather ball cricket — it’s a real cricket bat, not a rubber ball or tennis ball bat, and it performs as one.
Pronounced Thick Edges — Power and Forgiveness
The edges are pronounced and thick — approximately 39mm — a full, modern edge profile that carries mass well beyond the centre of the blade. Thick edges mean that off-centre hits — the inside edge, the outside edge, the ball that doesn’t quite find the middle — carry more distance and pace than they would off a thinner-edged bat. On an entry-level EW bat used by players still developing their technique, this margin of forgiveness is genuinely useful. The bat converts mishits into usable shots more consistently than a traditional thin-edged profile would.
The contoured blade shape supports the edge thickness — the spine and back profile are designed to complement the pronounced edges rather than creating an unbalanced pickup.
Mid Sweet Spot — Versatile for All-Round Play
The sweet spot sits in the mid position — the most versatile placement for a batsman who plays the full range of strokes. Front-foot drives, back-foot cuts and pulls, and all the strokes played at roughly waist height all connect with the bat in or near the mid sweet spot zone. For a player who is still developing their game and playing a wide variety of shots, the mid position gives the best consistent performance across the most strokes.
Round Cane Handle — Natural Grip Freedom
The handle is round in cross-section, built from cane with cork inserts for flexibility and shock absorption. The cork inserts within the cane construction improve the handle’s ability to flex and absorb the vibration of impact — reducing sting on firm shots and making the bat more comfortable to use through extended sessions. The round cross-section gives complete grip freedom — natural, unrestricted hand rotation through every stroke type.
Bottom Thickness and Weight
Bottom thickness sits at approximately 28mm and the bat weighs around 1160–1200 grams — a standard playing weight for a full-size Short Handle bat. The overall dimensions (approximately 85.7cm full length) are correct for adult Short Handle sizing.
Full-Length Bat Cover Included
A full-length coated fabric bat cover with adjustable carry straps is included with every Cobra Xtreme. The cover protects the blade from knocks, moisture, and surface damage during transport and storage — something typically purchased separately. It’s a practical inclusion that adds real value at this price point.
Sizes Available
Available in Short Handle (adult) as well as junior sizes (6, 5, 4, 3) — the full range from young beginners through to adult players. The Short Handle is correct for players approximately 5’6″ and above.
Brand: SG (Sanspareils Greenlands)
Manufacturer: Sanspareils Greenlands Pvt. Ltd.
Registered Address: Opp. Airport, Gangol Road, Partapur,
Meerut – 250103, Uttar Pradesh, India
Country of Origin: India
Customer Care: Via authorised SG retailer or sg-cricket.com
Sold by: Anytime Sports, Thane, Maharashtra (Authorised Retailer)
