Chase enters a new era

Chase Cricket enters a new era as master willow grower Rory Waterer acquires the iconic bat maker

Chase Cricket, one of England’s most respected specialist cricket bat makers, has been acquired by Rory Waterer, whose English willow has been used by many of the world’s leading cricket brands and players.

The acquisition brings together two of the finest purveyors in the game: a master grower whose willow is in the bats of some of cricket’s greatest players, and a bat-making house with nearly three decades of craftsmanship, heritage and design excellence. For the first time, the full journey of bat making - from sapling to century - will sit under a single ownership.

Importantly, Chase Cricket’s day-to-day leadership and bat-making expertise remain unchanged. Dan Swaine, Master Bat Maker and Managing Director, will continue to lead the business and oversee production, while Julie Swaine will remain in her business management role. The acquisition is built on continuity as much as ambition, preserving the hands, knowledge and ethos that have defined Chase for three decades.

The timing of the acquisition is significant. It coincides with 100 years of willow growing at Wyvols Court Farm, where Waterer’s family has spent a century producing some of the finest English willow in the game, as well as Chase Cricket’s 30th anniversary year. Together, the milestones underline a shared commitment to patience, craft and long-term stewardship.

Waterer’s willow is widely regarded as among the most consistent in the world, prized for its grain structure, purity and performance. His acquisition of Chase Cricket marks a rare moment in the sport: the direct integration of elite-grade English willow production with specialist bat manufacturing - a model virtually unseen at the highest levels of the game.

Founded in 1996 in the Hampshire countryside, Chase Cricket has built its reputation on producing bats for discerning players who value feel, balance and performance above all else. That reputation was further strengthened in 2007, when the business was acquired from former England international Robin Smith, ushering in a modern era of refinement and growth under the stewardship of Dan and Julie Swaine.

Today, Chase bats are defined by meticulous attention to detail, traditional hand-finishing techniques and a deep understanding of how elite players want a bat to perform in their hands. Under Waterer’s ownership, that craft - led by Dan Swaine in the workshop - will now be reinforced by direct access to best-in-class raw material, creating a uniquely joined-up approach to bat making.

“For years, I’ve seen my willow turned into exceptional bats by the very best makers in the world.” said Waterer. “What excites me about Chase is the opportunity to take that journey end-to-end, from growing the tree to shaping a bat that goes on to make runs at the highest level. Bringing together a century of willow growing with three decades of bat making is a privilege and I am proud to be its custodian.”

Under Waterer’s stewardship, Chase Cricket will remain firmly committed to its artisanal roots while investing carefully in the long-term future of the brand. The focus is singular: to produce superior cricket bats for discerning players, crafted from the highest-grade English willow and shaped by nearly 30 years of bat-making heritage.

“Chase has always stood for authenticity, craftsmanship and performance.” said Dan Swaine, Master Bat Maker and Managing Director of Chase Cricket. “Rory understands what makes this brand special - the attention to detail, the patience and the standards we hold ourselves to every day. This next chapter allows us to build on that foundation while staying true to the principles that have guided us for 30 years.”

As the game continues to evolve, the new ownership positions Chase Cricket not simply to preserve tradition, but to help define the next era of bat making - one that celebrates heritage, champions material excellence and maintains an uncompromising pursuit of performance at every stage of the process.