Your cricket bat is made from raw materials that are grown and not manufactured. Although the condition of the bat will obviously deteriorate over its lifespan, the performance should not. The following notes are to assist the explanation of situations which may occur within the lifespan of any cricket bat. Each bat is hand selected and weighed to suit requirements. The playing life of your bat is directly related to the preparation, maintenance and care of the bat throughout its life.
These are the guidelines to follow in getting your bat ready for play:
Oiling
The bat should be treated using raw linseed or a specialist cricket bat oil. This is to maintain moisture levels within the blade, thereby reducing the chances of cracking and splitting. Lightly coat the face of the bat, edge & toe of the blade but avoid the stickers and splice area. As a rule, three or four coats should be sufficient initially and one every 3-4 weeks thereafter. Leave the bat to dry in a horizontal position before the next coat is applied.
Anti-Scuff Sheet
Is a clear self-adhesive film which can be applied to the face of the bat. Anti scuff is one the best protection methods for the face & edges of cricket bats. The face of the bat becomes a sealed unit, dispensing with the need for oiling, except to the toe of the bat. It provides excellent protection against surface cracking for all bats.
Knocking In
All bats are pressed by the manufacturer, however knocking in is VITAL for the well being of your bat. This compresses the fibres of the willow in the face and edges to form a barrier. This protects the bat against the impact of the ball. Thorough knocking in will greatly improve the performance and increase the lifespan of the bat.
Stage One
Care should be taken in the knocking in process, using a bat mallet or an old, quality cricket ball. The bat should be repeatedly struck across and down the front of the blade gradually increasing force over a period of time. You must be patient in the procedure. Pay close attention to hardening the edge, by deflecting the mallet or ball across them-not at right angles to minimize damage from an edge shot. The toe area of the bat should be faced carefully as there is risk of causing cracks or splits across the base of the bat if struck too hard. This stage is important and should take approximately 8-10 full hours and if machined pressed 4-6 full hours.
Stage Two
The next step is to prepare the bat for match conditions. Throw downs in the nets or short catches with an old quality cricket ball is a good way of doing this. If the seam marks the blade or small surface cracks & indentations are visible, it is necessary to return to Stage One for further conditioning. This stage should be performed for a further duration of roughly 2 hours (this is not necessarily the sign of a poor quality bat, just an indication that it is not ready for full use). Once these steps have been taken the bat should be ready for use in matches. If you are an opening batter using the bat against the new ball, it may be advisable to use anti-scuff sheets initially.
General Information
English Willow - (Salix Caerulea or Alba Var) is a soft fibrous reed by nature. Performance and durability are enhanced by drying and pressing. Used normally, simply due to the nature of the game (the impact with the ball), willow will become bruised, scarred or dented. This does not affect the performance of the bat. These markings can occur at any time during the lifespan of the bat.
Kashmir Willow - Willow grown outside of England is by nature much harder than English willow. Therefore bats made of this type of willow will not have a comparable level of performance with English willow bats.
Lifespan of a Cricket Bat
There can be no definitive length of time that a cricket bat will last. The condition of a bat deteriorates with use. The length of time before the player needs to replace their bat will depend upon:
a. The amount of use.
b. The weight of the bat (heavier bats tend to be more durable than lighter ones).
c. The care with which the bat is treated.
Storage
To ensure that a bat remains in good condition, it is essential that the bat not be stored in excessively warm conditions, this will cause the bat to dry out. The bat should ideally be stored in a position that will allow a little moisture from the atmosphere to be absorbed.
In Case of Damage
Immediate action should be taken & the bat withdrawn from play. It is vital that the repairs are carried out by professional bat makers.
Blade Damage
Surface Cracking to the Blade Face
Cause - General wear and tear
Solution - Not replaceable, cracking will not affect the performance of the bat. Proper preparation will prevent unnecessary surface cracking.
Surface Cracking to the Toe of the Bat
Cause - General wear and tear. This type of damage is often caused by the striking of a yorker, or excessive tapping of the crease.
Solution - Not replaceable, crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable with PVA glue - protected with Shoe Goo or Toe Shield.
Prevention of any Toe Damage
Cause - 1. Mistimed strokes at the toe of the bat. 2. Use in wet/damp conditions which generally leads to swelling of the toe which may split after drying. 3. Excessive knocking or tapping at the wicket.
Solution - Not replaceable, will not effect the performance. Prevention is better than the cure. Toe Shields or Shoe Goo can prevent any possible toe problems and prolong life.
Handle Breaks
Cause - General wear and tear.
Solution - The bat itself is not replaceable, but the handle may be repaired at the manufacturer's discretion.
Breakage to the Blade
Cause - Weak or excessively dry willow.
Solution - Potentially replaceable by full or partial credit, at the manufacturer’s discretion.
Split through the Toe Area of the Blade
Cause - This type of damage is caused by striking of a ball at, or near the base of the blade, e.g. the driving of a yorker.
Solution - Repairable and/or replaceable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
