Warsop Stebbing

Warsop Stebbing is a British sports equipment company, specialising in cricket equipment. The company is based in central Essex, still the main source of timber for bats around the world today.

History

The company was founded in 1870 by Donald Warsop, a harness and saddle maker who turned to manufacturing cricket balls when his livelihood was threatened by the advent of the motor car.

In the mid-1980s, the company diversified into manufacturing the full range of cricket equipment, including bats, clothing, footwear and protective equipment. The recent exclusion of graphite-backed bats from competition is only for International Cricket at this stage. Domestic and club cricketers are allowed to keep using these bats but they will be gradually phased out.

Endorsements

Warsop Stebbing bats have been endorsed by numerous Essex CCC players including Mark Pettini, Graham Napier and James Foster. Ravi Bopara, who has played Test cricket and ODIs for England, has also used WS bats.

References

• Custon cricket bats, Ccb, 20 January 2007.