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

Video Description

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/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143 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