GM Diamond BS55 404 Cricket Bat 2026 – Short Handle
BS55. The Ben Stokes Range. The GM Diamond BS55 404 Cricket Bat 2026 brings the unmistakable Ben Stokes-inspired Diamond profile into an accessible English Willow specification, making it an excellent choice for developing, club and competitive cricketers who want genuine GM performance without stepping into the higher-priced grades. Featuring the distinctive BS55 Ben Stokes livery, GM's traditional L555 blade length, a beautifully balanced mid-swell, contoured spine and F4.5 Powerarc bow face, the Diamond 404 is designed as a genuine all-round batting profile. Made in England by Gunn & Moore, the Diamond 404 also benefits from GM NOW! preparation, DXM Toughsheet facing and ToeTek™ protection, providing a well-prepared English Willow bat that's ready to progress towards match use. BS55 – The Ben Stokes Range The BS55 badge represents Ben Stokes' signature range within the GM collection. The Diamond has been developed in conjunction with the England star, with its profile designed around the versatility required by a modern all-round stroke-maker. The distinctive graphics take inspiration from Stokes' personal style, giving players access to the look and profile associated with one of the most influential cricketers of the modern era. For players who want to experience the Diamond BS55 range at a more accessible price point, the 404 provides an excellent entry into the collection. English Willow Construction The GM Diamond BS55 404 is manufactured from carefully selected English Willow. As GM's entry point into its numbered English Willow grades, the 404 offers players the opportunity to move into a genuine English Willow cricket bat while maintaining an accessible price point. The natural characteristics of the willow may include variations in grain structure, colour and minor cosmetic markings. These are normal characteristics within this specification and help make each individual blade unique. The Diamond Profile – Built for All-Round Stroke Play One of the biggest strengths of the Diamond is its versatility. Rather than concentrating the majority of the willow excessively high or low on the blade, the Diamond features a balanced mid-swell position. This creates a central power zone that works exceptionally well for players who want to score all around the ground. Whether you're driving through the covers, cutting behind square, pulling through mid-wicket or attacking straight, the Diamond provides a versatile profile designed to complement a complete range of shots. Traditional L555 Blade Length The Diamond returns to GM's traditional L555 blade length for the 2026 season. This configuration provides a generous hitting surface while retaining the familiar proportions and feel expected from a Short Handle cricket bat. The L555 blade works perfectly with the balanced mid-swell, creating a profile that feels substantial enough to generate power while remaining responsive in the hands. Balanced Mid-Swell At the heart of the Diamond profile is its mid-positioned swell. This centrally located hitting zone provides an excellent balance between front-foot and back-foot performance, making the Diamond particularly suitable for all-round stroke-makers. Players who don't want their bat profile to dictate how they play will appreciate the versatility of the mid swell. It provides plenty of power when driving through the line while remaining responsive when playing square of the wicket or reacting quickly to shorter deliveries. Flowing Contoured Spine The Diamond features a carefully designed contoured spine that flows through the back of the blade. This helps distribute the willow efficiently throughout the profile, contributing to the bat's excellent balance and pickup. Rather than simply creating maximum dimensions, GM carefully manages the shape to provide a bat that feels comfortable and controlled in the hands while retaining plenty of willow through the main hitting area. F4.5 Face Profile The F4.5 face profile complements the Diamond's balanced construction. Combined with the mid swell and Powerarc bow, the F4.5 face creates a generous hitting area with the modern playing characteristics expected from a GM performance bat. The result is a versatile profile capable of supporting both traditional stroke play and aggressive modern batting. Powerarc Bow Face Profile The Diamond incorporates GM's Powerarc bow face profile, designed to complement the bat's balance and swing characteristics. The carefully engineered bow works alongside the contoured spine and centrally positioned swell to create a smooth feel through the shot. Whether you're looking to time the ball into gaps or generate additional bat speed when attacking, the Powerarc profile contributes to the Diamond's excellent all-round characteristics. Multi-Piece Cane Handle The GM Diamond 404 is fitted with a quality multi-piece cane handle designed to provide a comfortable combination of flexibility, feel and control. The handle helps absorb unwanted vibration through impact while maintaining a responsive connection between the player's hands and the blade. This provides confidence whether you're defending against quicker bowling or accelerating the bat through an attacking shot. DXM Toughsheet Facing The Diamond 404 comes with DXM Toughsheet facing fitted as standard. The protective facing provides an additional layer over the blade, helping protect the surface of the English Willow from everyday wear during regular cricket use. For developing and club players who expect their bat to see plenty of training and match action, this added protection is particularly useful. GM NOW! Preparation The GM Diamond BS55 404 comes GM NOW! prepared, significantly reducing the amount of traditional preparation required compared with a completely untreated English Willow blade. This allows players to get their new bat ready for use sooner. Appropriate care and gradual introduction to harder cricket balls are still recommended with any new English Willow cricket bat. ToeTek™ Toe Protection The Diamond 404 also features ToeTek™ protection fitted as standard. The toe is one of the most vulnerable areas of a cricket bat, regularly exposed to moisture, ground contact and impact from yorkers. ToeTek™ provides additional protection to this area, helping improve the durability and longevity of the blade. Made in Nottingham, England The GM Diamond BS55 404 2026 is manufactured by Gunn & Moore in Nottingham, England. GM combines generations of traditional English bat-making expertise with advanced precision manufacturing to create consistent and carefully balanced cricket bats across its range. This means players choosing the more accessible 404 specification can still experience the distinctive Diamond profile and GM's renowned English manufacturing expertise. Key Features GM Diamond BS55 404 – 2026 Edition Part of the signature Ben Stokes BS55 Range Genuine English Willow Accessible entry point into the Diamond English Willow family Distinctive BS55 Ben Stokes graphics Traditional L555 blade length Balanced mid-swell position Designed for complete all-round stroke play F4.5 face profile Powerarc bow face profile Flowing contoured spine Excellent combination of power and pickup Quality multi-piece cane handle DXM Toughsheet facing fitted as standard GM NOW! factory preparation ToeTek™ toe protection fitted as standard Short Handle (SH) Manufactured in Nottingham, England Excellent choice for developing and club cricketers Specifications Brand: Gunn & Moore (GM) Model: Diamond BS55 404 Season: 2026 Player Range: Ben Stokes BS55 Size: Short Handle (SH) Willow: English Willow Grade: GM 404 Specification Blade Length: L555 Swell Position: Mid Face Profile: F4.5 Bow: Powerarc Spine: Flowing Contoured Spine Handle: Multi-Piece Cane Facing: DXM Toughsheet Preparation: GM NOW! Toe Protection: ToeTek™ Country of Manufacture: England Who Is the Diamond BS55 404 For? The GM Diamond BS55 404 is an excellent choice for players looking to make the move into a full-size English Willow cricket bat without paying the premium associated with GM's higher grades. It's particularly suitable for junior players transitioning into senior cricket, developing adult cricketers, club players and regular second XI players who want a versatile bat capable of handling a complete range of shots. The balanced mid-swell makes the Diamond especially forgiving from a profile-selection perspective. Rather than being designed exclusively for front-foot or back-foot cricket, it provides a central hitting zone suited to players developing an all-round game. For players who want genuine English Willow, the Ben Stokes BS55 styling and a versatile GM profile at an accessible price point, the Diamond 404 represents excellent value. Where Does the 404 Sit in the GM Range? The 404 is the entry point into GM's numbered English Willow grades, making it one of the most accessible ways to experience a genuine GM English Willow cricket bat. Higher specifications within the range offer progressively upgraded willow selection and grading, allowing players to choose according to their playing level, preferences and budget. The 404 is therefore an excellent starting point for players who prioritise genuine English Willow construction, trusted GM craftsmanship and the Diamond profile at a more affordable level. 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