India is home to a number of the top cricket-bat manufacturers, including Sareen Sports, SS. But the wood used to make the highest-quality bats needs to be shipped halfway across the globe from England. JS Wright & Sons, an English willow tree supplier that has been in the industry since the 1800s, supplies 75% of the willow for the world's cricket bats. English willow bats are durable, yet lightweight and sell for up to 10 times as much as cheaper, lower-end Kashmir willow bats. Growing these trees and using them to create a perfect bat is a more than 15-year-long process that requires a careful eye and years of experience. The trees need to be regularly inspected and maintained so they grow slowly and produce a clean, tight-grained cleft. But the best trees could be in short supply as the sport spreads into more countries, like the United States.

Editor's Note: At 2:30, the video incorrectly states that an English willow tree is ready to be cut down when it is 60 inches in diameter. It should say 60 inches in circumference.

00:00 - Intro
00:58 - $1,000 Cricket Bat
01:30 - The Perfect Tree
02:14 - English Willow Forest
03:11 - Sawmill Process
04:22 - Sawing And Waxing
05:30 - Grading And Drying
06:46 - Shipping Bats To India
07:13 - How Cricket Bats Are Made
07:46 - Carving The Bat
08:52 - Pressing The Wood
09:23 - Finishing Touches
09:56 - Counterfeit Cricket Bats
11:02 - The Growing Demand
11:41 - Picking The Perfect Cricket Bat
12:53 - The Future Of English Willow
13:40 - Credits

MORE SO EXPENSIVE VIDEOS:
Why These Giant Oak Barrels Are The Key To Making Some Of The World's Most Expensive Wine
https://youtu.be/ug9IA4lE-3I
Cement Tiles Almost Disappeared. Now They’re More Expensive Than Ever | So Expensive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV2lSlpzrww
Why Japanese Kanzuri Chile Paste Is So Expensive | So Expensive | Business Insider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMzw6H38ZlM

------------------------------------------------------
#sports #soexpensive #businessinsider

Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more.

Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com
Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insiderbusiness Business Insider on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider
Business Insider on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/disco....ver/Business_Insider
Business Insider on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider

Why India's $12 Million Cricket Bat Industry Is Fueled By UK Trees | So Expensive | Business Insider