GM Diamond L555 808 English Willow Cricket Bat 2026 – Short Handle

The Ben Stokes Bat. Built for the All-Round Stroke-Maker. The Gunn & Moore Diamond L555 808 English Willow Cricket Bat 2026 brings the unmistakable profile and styling of the Ben Stokes-inspired Diamond range into GM's highly regarded 808 specification. Made in England from carefully selected Superior Grade 2 English Willow, the Diamond 808 combines a traditional L555 blade length, balanced mid-swell position, full blade profile and flowing contoured spine to create an outstanding all-round cricket bat. Developed in conjunction with Ben Stokes, the 2026 edition features refreshed Diamond graphics that continue to draw inspiration from Stokes' distinctive tattoo design. The bat is completed with GM's new Halo Grip, the grip style used by Stokes himself. With GM NOW! factory preparation, protective facing and ToeTek™ protection fitted as standard, the Diamond 808 provides an impressive combination of performance, preparation and protection straight from the factory. Superior Grade 2 English Willow – 808 Specification The GM Diamond 808 is manufactured from carefully selected Superior Grade 2 English Willow, providing an excellent balance between willow quality, performance and value. The 808 specification represents a significant step up within GM's range and is aimed at serious club and competitive cricketers looking for a high-quality English Willow blade without moving into the premium Grade 1 specifications. As English Willow is a natural material, every Diamond 808 will have its own individual grain pattern and appearance, making each bat unique. The Diamond Profile The Diamond is designed around versatility. Rather than focusing exclusively on front-foot or back-foot play, the profile uses a balanced mid-swell position to create a centrally located power zone. This makes the Diamond an excellent choice for the all-round stroke-maker who wants to drive, cut, pull and attack straight with the same bat. Combined with its traditional full profile and carefully engineered spine, the Diamond provides a substantial hitting area while retaining the balance and pickup required for long innings. Traditional L555 Blade Length For the 2026 season, the Diamond returns to GM's traditional L555 blade length. Paired with a 295mm handle, the L555 configuration provides a substantial hitting surface while retaining the familiar proportions of a traditional Short Handle cricket bat. The blade length works particularly well with the Diamond's central swell, providing an excellent distribution of willow throughout the hitting zone. Balanced Mid Sweet Spot At the heart of the Diamond is its mid-positioned sweet spot. This central power zone provides excellent versatility, allowing the bat to perform effectively against both full and short bowling. Front-foot players can confidently drive through the line, while back-foot players still have plenty of willow available when cutting, pulling or punching the ball square of the wicket. For batters who don't want their bat profile to dictate how they play, the Diamond's mid swell is an excellent all-round option. Traditional Full Blade Profile The Diamond features a traditional full blade profile, retaining plenty of willow throughout the hitting area. This creates a reassuringly substantial feel through impact and gives players the confidence to commit fully to their shots. Rather than excessive concaving, the Diamond focuses on maintaining a powerful overall profile while using careful contouring to optimise balance. Flowing Contoured Spine A flowing contoured spine is one of the defining features of the Diamond profile. The spine transitions smoothly through the blade, helping distribute the weight efficiently while retaining plenty of wood through the main power zone. This careful shaping contributes to the Diamond's excellent pickup and allows the bat to feel balanced despite its substantial full profile. F4.5 Face Profile The F4.5 face profile complements the Diamond's traditional shape and centrally positioned hitting zone. Working alongside the mid swell and full blade construction, the F4.5 profile provides a generous hitting area with the modern playing characteristics expected from a high-performance GM cricket bat. Powerarc Bow Face Profile The Diamond also incorporates GM's Powerarc bow face profile. The carefully engineered bow contributes to the balance and swing characteristics of the bat, helping create a smooth and natural movement through the shot. Combined with the centrally positioned swell, it makes the Diamond equally comfortable when playing controlled cricket or accelerating for the boundary. GM NOW! Factory Preparation The Diamond 808 comes factory prepared with GM NOW!, reducing the amount of traditional preparation required before progressing towards match use. This is particularly convenient for players who don't want to begin with a completely untreated English Willow blade. As with any new English Willow cricket bat, sensible preparation and gradual introduction to full-intensity cricket balls are still recommended. Protective Facing & ToeTek™ Protection The bat comes with a protective facing and ToeTek™ protection fitted as standard. The facing helps protect the surface of the English Willow against everyday wear, while ToeTek™ provides additional protection to one of the most vulnerable areas of the blade. The toe is regularly exposed to moisture, ground contact and yorker-length deliveries, making additional protection particularly valuable for players using their bat regularly throughout the season. New GM Halo Grip The 2026 Diamond features GM's new Halo Grip, associated with Ben Stokes' own setup. Designed to provide excellent traction and a secure connection between the player's hands and handle, the Halo Grip helps maintain control when playing both technically controlled strokes and aggressive attacking shots. It also complements the refreshed Diamond graphics, completing the premium appearance of the 2026 model. Made in England The GM Diamond 808 2026 is proudly manufactured by Gunn & Moore in England. GM combines generations of English cricket bat manufacturing experience with advanced precision engineering to create carefully balanced and consistently shaped cricket bats. From willow selection and machining through to handle fitting, preparation and finishing, the Diamond 808 benefits from the craftsmanship associated with one of cricket's most established bat manufacturers. Key Features GM Diamond L555 808 – 2026 Edition Developed in conjunction with Ben Stokes Part of the distinctive Diamond / Ben Stokes range Superior Grade 2 English Willow Made in England Refreshed 2026 Diamond livery Graphics inspired by Ben Stokes' distinctive tattoo design Traditional L555 blade length 295mm handle length Balanced mid-swell / mid sweet spot Designed for all-round stroke play F4.5 face profile Powerarc bow face profile Traditional full blade profile Flowing contoured spine Excellent combination of power, balance and pickup New GM Halo Grip GM NOW! factory preparation Protective facing fitted as standard ToeTek™ toe protection Short Handle (SH) Ideal for serious club and competitive cricketers Specifications Brand: Gunn & Moore (GM) Model: Diamond 808 Season: 2026 Size: Senior / Short Handle (SH) Willow Grade: Superior Grade 2 English Willow Blade Length: L555 Handle Length: 295mm Sweet Spot: Mid Swell Position: Mid Face Profile: F4.5 Bow: Powerarc Blade Profile: Traditional Full Profile Spine: Flowing Contoured Spine Grip: GM Halo Grip Preparation: GM NOW! Toe Protection: ToeTek™ Country of Manufacture: England Who Is the GM Diamond 808 For? The GM Diamond 808 2026 is an outstanding choice for serious club and competitive cricketers who want a high-quality English Willow bat with a versatile profile. Its centrally positioned swell makes it particularly suitable for all-round stroke-makers rather than players who predominantly favour only front-foot or back-foot cricket. The full profile provides plenty of willow behind the ball, while the flowing spine and carefully managed weight distribution help maintain an excellent pickup. For players looking for Superior Grade 2 English Willow, Ben Stokes-inspired styling, a traditional full profile and premium GM craftsmanship, the Diamond 808 is one of the standout all-round bats in GM's 2026 collection. Important Weight Information Any bat weight displayed in this listing is measured WITHOUT an Extratec protective sheet and WITHOUT a toe guard fitted. Please note that fitting an Extratec protective sheet and/or toe guard will slightly increase the finished playing weight of the bat.