Most cricket bats are made of willow wood, which is fairly soft and porous. As a result, all cricket bats face eventual damage and deterioration the longer they are used. Practicing regular cricket bat care will extend the life of your cricket bat and will also make it more reliable during play.
Oiling
Too-dry conditions and too-damp conditions both risk damage to your cricket bat. Oiling your bat can help protect it from both fates. However, since over-oiling your bat may also lead to damage, it is better not to oil at all than to oil too much. When oiling your bat, keep it horizontal at all times. Use a soft rag to apply a thin coat of raw linseed oil to the front, back, edges and toe of the bat. Never oil the splice area where the handle meets the blade. When you're finished, store your bat horizontally overnight. The following morning, sandpaper the bat lightly and apply another coat of oil. You should keep the bat horizontal at all times until you are finished with the second coat. Bats sold with a polyurethane finish should not need oiling. Finish oiling your bat before you begin knocking it in.
Knocking In
All new cricket bats must be "knocked in" before they are ready for use on the field, according to Middlepeg Cricket Equipment. Knocking in a cricket bat properly should take about six hours. To knock in a cricket bat, use a bat mallet expressly designed for this purpose. Knock the bat lightly against the edges of the bat, using increased force as you work toward the center, until the edges of the bat are uniformly smooth and rounded. Next, bounce a cricket ball lightly up and down on the face of the bat. You may also bat older, softened balls carefully with the bat. Before batting new cricket balls, however, you should repeat the knocking in process from the beginning. You may also hear knocking in referred to as "running in"; both terms describe the same process.
Facing
Facing your bat involves applying a thin sheet of adhesive to the face and edges of the bat. Facing your bat is optional, and deciding whether or not to do it is a matter of personal choice, and a subject of debate. Some cricket players insist that facing increases the life of the bat, while others say it does not help the bat and only adds weight. According to Middlepeg Cricket Equipment, a high-quality facing will extend bat life without adding extra weight or affecting the bat's performance. To apply facing, first apply an extra half-coat of oil to your bat. Let the bat sit horizontally for four days, then lightly sandpaper the face and edges of the bat. Peel the paper backing off the facing and apply it gently to the face of the bat, placing it as low as possible to protect the toe area. You may cut the edges of the facing to conform to the toe of the bat. Smooth the facing on carefully to eliminate any air bubbles or wrinkles. Wrap the cricket bat tightly in a blanket and store it horizontally for at least 12 hours. Then, proceed with knocking in the bat as you normally would.
Techniques to Avoid
Many cricket bats are damaged beyond repair by improper cricket bat care, which could easily be avoided according to Kookaburra Reading, makers of Kookaburra cricket bats. To avoid damaging your bat, never over-oil your bat. If oil drips down your bat while oiling, you are using too much oil. Never use water to clean your bat; Instead, remove dirt with a dry cloth or a bit of raw linseed oil. Finally, never use your bat until it has been properly oiled and knocked in. Also, using cheap cricket balls that are too hard may also dent your bat.
Member Comments