The Ihsan X4 English Willow Cricket Bat — listed by the maker as the Lynx X4 — is the value entry into the X Series, and it comes with something none of the bats above it offer: a choice of curved or straight blade.

Handcrafted English willow, hand-picked with at least 8 straight grains, an enlarged sweet spot and clean edges. It is the bat for a player buying their first proper English willow blade, or anyone wanting the X Series shape without the flagship price. Every bat here is individually photographed, so you choose the exact one.

Ihsan X4 specifications

Curved or straight blade — which to pick

Worth thinking about before you order. A curved blade is bowed through the face, which lifts the pick-up and helps the bat come through the shot fast — good if you play square of the wicket. A straight blade keeps more of the face flat and square to the ball, which some players prefer for driving and for the feel of a traditional bat. Neither is better; they suit different hands. Message us on WhatsApp if you want a steer.

Hand-picked willow and 8+ grains

Ihsan hand-pick every X4 rather than boxing whatever comes off the line, and the standard is at least 8 straight grains with a clean playing area and clean edges. That is a strong grain count at this level and is why the X4 plays above where it sits in the range.

Enlarged sweet spot and balance

The X4 carries an enlarged sweet spot rather than a narrow middle, which makes it forgiving when you are not perfectly in line — exactly what you want in a bat that will see club cricket, nets and everything in between. It is shaped to stay balanced in the hands through the shot.

Where the Ihsan X4 sits in the Ihsan X Series

The X Series runs as a ladder — same shaping ideas, better willow as you climb: the X4, then the X3, the X2, and the X1 as the flagship, with the Xtreme sitting alongside them as the power shape. The X4 is the entry, and the only one in the range where you pick the blade shape.

English willow and individual bat selection

Willow is natural, so grain count, colour, markings and edge depth vary bat to bat — the table above is the build Ihsan work to. Crystal Sports photographs every available Ihsan X4, so what you see in the selector is the bat that gets dispatched. Short Handle is stocked as standard, Harrow and Long Blade to order.

Knocking in and bat preparation

English willow must be prepared before facing a hard ball, unless it is already fully knocked in. Our optional Bat Preparation service covers linseed oil, 24 hours drying, 12,000 machine knocks, a scuff sheet and edge tape. Add a fitted toe guard too if the bat will see damp outfields or nets on hard surfaces.

Buy the Ihsan X4 cricket bat in the UK

Crystal Sports is an independent cricket shop in Luton, Bedfordshire, stocking the X4 alongside the wider Ihsan cricket bat range. Order online with tracked UK delivery, or visit Unit 2, 200 Dunstable Road, Luton LU4 8JL to compare them in person.