Marnus Labuschagne's Shape in Players Grade: the Kookaburra Ghost Cricket Bat
Overview
The Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat in Pro Players Edition grade is a Grade 1 English willow bat. It is built for serious club and county batters. It uses the Ghost profile endorsed by Marnus Labuschagne. A mid sweet spot sits about 160 to 200mm from the toe, behind 34 to 37mm edges.
Pro Players Edition is the top production grade in the 2027 Ghost range. Only the Marnus Labuschagne replica sits above it. Expect at least six fairly straight grains on the face. There may be some red wood on the edge, but the playing area should be clean.
The Ghost is a modern classic, created with Team Kookaburra players for traditional weight distribution and balance. The mid middle sits under your front foot drives, so the bat feels set up for driving. At 2lb 8oz to 2lb 10oz, the pick up stays quick. Buy it this autumn and you have months to prepare it before April.
Features
- Grade 1 'Players' quality willow: the top standard Ghost grade, with straight grains and a clean face.
- Mid sweet spot at 160 to 200mm: rewards drives and front foot play on English pitches.
- 34 to 37mm round edges: give you a full looking blade without excess weight.
- 63 to 67mm spine: keeps mass behind the middle, where your drives land.
- Oval handle with a Quilt grip: helps your hands feel where the face is pointing.
- Kookaburra Pre-Prepared (KPP): gives you a head start on getting the bat ready for match play.
- Free premium padded bat cover: protects the blade in your kit bag from the first net session.
Design and Materials
Kookaburra make every bat by hand from English willow grown in the UK. The bat makers grade each cleft on five points. These are performance, appearance, imperfections, colour and density. The willow is left unbleached, so you see the natural colour of the wood.
The blade has a round edge profile and a 2mm rounded face. A standard toe, a 1 to 2mm scallop and a 10 to 12mm bow complete the shape. The Ghost offers traditional weight distribution, so the middle sits lower than on the high sweet spot Kahuna.
Kookaburra point out one honest trade-off on grains. Narrow grains come from older willow, which can play well quickly but tends to be more brittle. A bat with a few wider grains often lasts longer. Small marks on the face are cosmetic and do not change how the bat plays.
Key Technologies
Players Quality Unbleached English Willow: Selected clefts with six or more fairly straight grains. Small knots or specks may appear in the edge or back only.
Ghost Mid Sweet Spot Profile: A mid sweet spot about 160 to 200mm from the toe with 34mm edges. It favours front foot drives and classical stroke play.
Kookaburra Pre-Prepared (KPP): Kookaburra carry out preparation on the blade before it leaves the factory. This shortens the work needed before you take it into a match.
Quilt Grip: Kookaburra's diamond pattern grip, fitted as standard. It adds comfort and hold between your bat and gloves.
Oval Handle: The oval shape gives your bottom hand a clear sense of the face angle. Many top order players prefer it for control.
Round Edge and Rounded Face: Round edges and a 2mm rounded face give the blade clean, traditional lines.
100% Handmade Construction: Each Kookaburra bat is handmade. The bat makers judge every cleft before deciding which model to make from it.
Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Willow and grade |
Players quality unbleached English willow |
| Profile |
Ghost, mid sweet spot |
| Sweet spot |
Mid, approx. 160 to 200mm from the toe |
| Edge thickness |
Approx. 34mm to 37mm |
| Spine height |
Approx. 63mm to 67mm |
| Edge, face and toe |
Round edge, rounded (2mm) face, standard toe |
| Scallop and bow |
Scallop approx. 1mm to 2mm, bow approx. 10mm to 12mm |
| Handle |
Oval, Short Handle only (857mm) |
| Grip |
Kookaburra Quilt |
| Weight |
2lb 8oz to 2lb 10oz (1135g to 1200g) |
| Preparation |
Kookaburra Pre-Prepared (KPP) |
| Included |
Free premium padded bat cover |
VKS Review
The Ghost Pro Players Edition puts Kookaburra's driving shape into its top standard grade. The mid sweet spot and 34 to 37mm edges make it a balanced, classical bat. Front foot drives come off the middle with a crisp, solid feel. It is premium priced, and you pay for the cleanest willow and best grains in the range.
This Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat suits top order batters who build innings on the front foot. If you score more off the back foot, the Kahuna has a higher sweet spot. If you want the same shape for less, the Ghost Pro 1.1 Players Select uses the next grade down. You can also visit our London store in Ealing to compare weights before you buy.
Q&A Section
What is the difference between the Ghost Pro Players Edition and the Labuschagne replica?
The replica copies Marnus Labuschagne's own bat and is graded only on performance. It has a 15mm shorter blade, giving an 842mm overall length. The Pro Players Edition is a standard 857mm Short Handle, graded on looks as well as play.
Is the Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat good for English conditions?
Usually, yes. A mid sweet spot suits pitches where the ball tends to stay lower. It sits under the ball on drives through the off side. On bouncier pitches, a high sweet spot shape like the Kahuna may suit you better.
Does the Ghost Pro Players Edition need knocking in?
We recommend it, even though the bat arrives Kookaburra Pre-Prepared. Knocking in compresses the face, edges and toe so they cope with a hard ball. VKS offers a knocking-in service, priced at 25 pounds for bats bought from us.
Should I choose the Ghost or the Kahuna?
Choose the Ghost if you drive a lot off the front foot, because its sweet spot sits in the middle. The Kahuna, used by Jos Buttler, has a high sweet spot at about 200 to 210mm. Both share oval handles and 34 to 37mm edges, so your style should decide.
Can juniors buy the Ghost Pro Players Edition?
Yes, Kookaburra make a junior version in sizes Small Adult, Harrow and 6. It uses specially selected Grade 1 unbleached willow and includes a padded cover. Use a height based size guide, or ask our team, before you choose.
Which weight should I choose?
Most adults are happy with a Kookaburra Ghost cricket bat at 2lb 8oz or 2lb 9oz. A lighter bat gives faster hands, while a heavier one carries more mass into the ball. Pick the weight you can control easily through a full net session.
Is a bat with more grains always better?
Not always. Narrow grains can play well quickly but usually come from older, more brittle willow. Kookaburra note that breakages on very narrow grained bats are unlikely to be covered by warranty.
