BAT CARE AND PREPARATION

There are two options for cricket bat preparation:

1. Oiling with raw linseed oil of the bat is part of the preparation of a cricket bat. The aim of oiling is to maintain moisture levels within the blade which can reduce the chances of cracking. Two or three light coats of oil should be applied to the face, edges, toe and back of the bat avoiding stickers, toe guard and splice (handle). Each coat should be left in a horizontal position and allowed to dry before the next coat.

2. Fitting an anti-scuff sheet or similar cover can assist with the durability of your cricket bat but does not totally prevent surface damage. Then oiling any exposed willow.

Oiling comes before knocking in.

Knocking in and bat preparation is necessary in all bats. Knocking in varies from bat to bat.

Knock in using a cricket bat mallet for several (up to five) hours concentrating on the toe and edges as well as the face. When you can no longer see seam marks in the blade the bat should be slowly brought through the nets with slow throw downs with old, high quality cricket balls to check for seam marks then moving into spin and faster bowling. Try and put off using new balls for a little while. If seam marks can be seen at any stage, revert back to knocking in the bat with a cricket mallet. This process is compressing the fibers of the bat, allowing for more durability.

PLEASE AVOID:

• Using your bat without knocking in

• Over oiling which will make the willow rot and become ‘dead’. It is difficult to over oil. If there is any excess oil on the bat just wipe it off with an old rag.

• Leaving the bat vertical while oiling

• Washing with water, leaving kit in the rain etc.

• Tapping on a wet pitch, allowing water into the toe which swells and can cause horizontal cracks. We suggest adding a toe guard or shoe goo to toe.

• Hitting ‘yorkers’ hard. This can cause cracking in the toe.

• Using cheap cricket balls that can bruise and dent the bat.