GM Diamond L555 808 Junior English Willow Cricket Bat 2026
GM Diamond L555 808 Junior English Willow Cricket Bat 2026 – Size 6 & Harrow The Ben Stokes Bat. Built for the All-Round Junior Stroke-Maker. The Gunn & Moore Diamond L555 808 Junior English Willow Cricket Bat 2026 brings the unmistakable Ben Stokes-inspired Diamond styling and versatile performance profile to serious junior cricketers. Available in Size 6 and Harrow, the Diamond 808 Junior is manufactured from carefully selected Superior Grade 2 English Willow and is designed to provide young players with an excellent combination of power, balance, pickup and control. Developed in conjunction with Ben Stokes, the 2026 Diamond features refreshed graphics inspired by Stokes' distinctive tattoo design, along with the premium GM Halo Grip associated with the Diamond range. With its balanced mid-swell position, flowing contoured spine and Powerarc bow profile, the Diamond 808 Junior is an outstanding choice for young players developing a complete all-round batting game. Superior Grade 2 English Willow – 808 Specification The GM Diamond 808 Junior is manufactured from carefully selected Superior Grade 2 English Willow, offering an excellent step up for serious junior cricketers. The 808 specification provides a strong combination of willow quality, appearance and performance, making it particularly suitable for players competing regularly at club, school, representative or pathway level. As English Willow is a natural material, every bat will have its own individual grain pattern, colour and appearance, making each Diamond 808 unique. Junior-Specific Performance The Diamond 808 Junior is available specifically in: Size 6 Harrow Both sizes are designed to provide younger players with appropriate blade dimensions and weight distribution. Using a correctly sized junior bat can significantly improve pickup, timing, bat speed and overall control, allowing players to develop good technique without struggling with an oversized senior blade. Balanced Mid Sweet Spot At the heart of the Diamond profile is its beautifully positioned mid sweet spot. The centrally located power zone makes the Diamond exceptionally versatile and particularly suitable for junior players developing a complete range of shots. Front-foot players can confidently drive through the line, while back-foot players still have plenty of hitting area available for cuts, pulls and punches. This makes the Diamond an excellent all-round profile rather than one designed exclusively for a single style of batting. Designed for All-Round Stroke Play The Diamond is designed for players who want to score around the entire ground. Its balanced profile allows young cricketers to develop front-foot and back-foot strokes with the same bat, making it an excellent choice for technically developing players. Whether driving through the covers, playing straight, cutting behind square or pulling through mid-wicket, the Diamond provides a versatile hitting zone designed to support confident stroke play. Full Junior Blade Profile The Diamond maintains the philosophy of GM's traditional full blade profile, appropriately proportioned for junior cricket. Keeping plenty of willow through the hitting area provides a reassuringly solid feel through impact while maintaining the balance younger players require. Careful shaping ensures the bat retains strong hitting potential without becoming unnecessarily difficult to manoeuvre. Flowing Contoured Spine A distinctive flowing contoured spine runs through the Diamond profile. The spine helps distribute willow efficiently throughout the blade, contributing to the excellent pickup and balance associated with the range. For junior players, this careful weight distribution provides the advantage of a substantial hitting area while retaining the responsiveness required for quick hands. F4.5 Face Profile The Diamond incorporates GM's F4.5 face profile, appropriately proportioned for the junior blade. Working alongside the balanced mid swell and flowing spine, the F4.5 profile provides an excellent hitting area and contributes to the modern playing characteristics of the Diamond. Powerarc Bow Profile The Powerarc bow profile further complements the Diamond's balanced construction. The carefully engineered bow helps create a smooth swing through the ball and contributes to excellent pickup and manoeuvrability. For developing junior cricketers, this helps support natural bat speed and confident stroke execution. Excellent Pickup & Control Pickup is especially important when selecting a junior cricket bat. A bat that is too heavy can restrict bat speed, affect timing and encourage poor technique. The Diamond 808 Junior is shaped to provide an excellent combination of power and manageable pickup, allowing young players to generate bat speed naturally while maintaining control through the shot. This makes it particularly suitable for players progressing into faster and more competitive cricket. GM NOW! Factory Preparation The Diamond 808 Junior comes factory prepared with GM NOW!, reducing the amount of traditional preparation required before progressing towards match use. This makes the bat more convenient for players who don't want to start with a completely untreated English Willow blade. As with any English Willow bat, sensible preparation and gradual introduction to full-intensity cricket balls are still recommended. Protective Facing & ToeTek™ Protection The Diamond 808 Junior comes with a protective facing and ToeTek™ protection fitted as standard. The protective facing helps guard the blade against everyday surface wear, while ToeTek™ provides additional protection to the vulnerable toe area. This is especially useful for junior players using their bat regularly for both training and matches throughout the season. GM Halo Grip The 2026 Diamond features the premium GM Halo Grip, the grip style associated with Ben Stokes. Designed to provide excellent traction, comfort and hand security, the Halo Grip helps young players maintain control throughout the shot. Its distinctive appearance also complements the refreshed 2026 Diamond graphics, completing the premium Ben Stokes-inspired look. Ben Stokes-Inspired 2026 Design The Diamond range has become closely associated with Ben Stokes, and the 2026 edition continues that connection. The refreshed graphics take inspiration from Stokes' distinctive tattoo design, giving junior players the same unmistakable Diamond identity found throughout GM's senior collection. For young cricketers who follow Stokes and want a bat inspired by his range, the Diamond 808 Junior delivers both performance and premium styling. Made in England The GM Diamond 808 Junior 2026 is manufactured by Gunn & Moore in England. Junior players benefit from GM's extensive English cricket bat manufacturing experience, combining precision shaping with generations of bat-making knowledge. From willow selection and machining through to handle fitting, preparation and finishing, the Diamond 808 Junior is produced with the attention to detail expected from Gunn & Moore. Key Features GM Diamond 808 Junior – 2026 Edition Available in Size 6 & Harrow Developed in conjunction with Ben Stokes Part of the distinctive Ben Stokes Diamond range Superior Grade 2 English Willow Premium 808 specification Refreshed 2026 Diamond livery Graphics inspired by Ben Stokes' tattoo design Junior-specific dimensions and weight distribution Balanced mid-swell / mid sweet spot Designed for complete all-round stroke play Full junior blade profile Flowing contoured spine F4.5 face profile Powerarc bow profile Excellent combination of power, balance and pickup Premium GM Halo Grip GM NOW! factory preparation Protective facing fitted as standard ToeTek™ toe protection Manufactured in England Ideal for serious junior club, representative and pathway cricketers Available Sizes Size 6 The Size 6 is designed for growing junior cricketers who need a larger hitting area while still requiring the control and manoeuvrability of a dedicated junior bat. It provides an excellent balance between blade size, pickup and bat speed, making it suitable for developing players who aren't yet ready to progress into a Harrow. Harrow The Harrow is designed for older junior cricketers approaching senior cricket. It provides increased blade dimensions and hitting area while remaining lighter and easier to control than a full-size Short Handle bat. For young players moving towards senior equipment, Harrow offers an excellent transition between junior and adult bat sizing. Specifications Brand: Gunn & Moore (GM) Model: Diamond 808 Junior Season: 2026 Player Range: Ben Stokes Diamond Willow Grade: Superior Grade 2 English Willow Specification: 808 Available Sizes: Size 6 & Harrow Sweet Spot: Mid Swell Position: Mid Face Profile: F4.5 Bow: Powerarc Blade Profile: Full Junior 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 Junior For? The GM Diamond 808 Junior 2026 is an excellent option for serious young cricketers looking for a higher-quality English Willow bat with a versatile all-round profile. Its balanced mid-swell makes it particularly suitable for players developing both front-foot and back-foot stroke play, while the carefully shaped junior profile provides the pickup and manoeuvrability required to generate natural bat speed. The Size 6 is ideal for growing junior players who still require dedicated junior proportions, while the Harrow provides an excellent stepping stone towards a full-size senior bat. For young cricketers looking for Superior Grade 2 English Willow, premium 808 specification, excellent pickup and distinctive Ben Stokes-inspired styling, the GM Diamond 808 Junior is a standout option for the 2026 season. 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 adding an Extratec protective sheet and/or toe guard will slightly increase the finished playing weight of the bat.