How long should my cricket bat last?

This question is impossible to answer. 1500 to 2000 runs is often quoted as a figure to aim for, but the life of a cricket bat is governed by many factors, including preparation, usage, both the amount and style of play, and how you care for your cricket bat. The length of time before the player needs to replace his bat will depend upon a) the amount of use, b) the weight of the bat (heavier blades tend to be more durable than lighter ones), and c) the care with which the bat is treated.

Test match players get through 4 to 6 bats a year, an opening batsman facing a new ball every week against fast bowling at semi-professional level could expect to use a new bat each year, someone lower down the order who hits the ball hard would be in a similar situation.

In case of damage, immediate action should be taken. This normally necessitates withdrawal from play whilst repairs are carried out. Ensure vital the repairs are carried out by professional cricket bat makers. The manufacturers will be unable to guarantee repair work carried out by non-approved repairers.

Storage & maintenance of your cricket bat in the off-season

During the playing life of your cricket bat treat it with care and attention; it is your only weapon against the breed of bowlers who wish you ill!

At the start and end of each season lightly sand the blade and apply another light coat of oil.

Do not put the bat away wet as this will encourage rotting and try to store the bat in cool, moist conditions to prevent excessive drying of the willow. Do not keep your cricket bat in your car boot for any length of time as this will dry the willow and make it very weak.

STORAGE - To ensure that a bat remains in good condition it is essential that it is not stored in excessively warm conditions (e.g. near to central heating OR IN BOOT OF CAR). This will cause the bat to dry out and precipitate future problems. The bat should ideally be stored in a position that will allow a little of the moisture from the atmosphere to be absorbed. 

How to knock in your cricket bat

All cricket bats are pressed, however, “knocking-in” is VITAL. This is the process by which the fibres of the willow in the face and edges are compressed together to form a barrier that protects the cricket bat against the impact of the ball. Effective knocking-in will significantly improve the performance and increase the lifespan of the bat.

STAGE ONE: The knocking-in process should be undertaken carefully using a special bat mallet or an old cricket ball. The bat should be repeatedly struck (with gradually increasing force) in all areas where one would normally expect to hit the ball. This conditioning must be performed with patience. Particular attention should be given to the edges, although the edges or toe should not be struck directly at right angles to the blade. This would be likely to cause damage. This stage should take in the region of six hours, although it may vary, as every cricket bat is different.

STAGE TWO: The next step is to graduate to the use of the cricket bat to hit short catches with an old, quality cricket ball. However, if the seam marks the blade it is necessary to return to “stage one” for further conditioning. This stage should be performed for at least another hour. Once these steps have been taken, the cricket bat should be ready for use in matches. It is advisable to initially avoid use against the “new ball”.

WARNING UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A CRICKET BAT BE USED IN MATCH CONDITIONS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS FOLLOWING THE DATE OF PURCHASE.

NETS - It is advisable not to use a new cricket bat during indoor net sessions or on concrete practice pitches, the ground is often very hard and will increase the risk of damage to the toe of your bat, especially if you try to dig out yorkers or catch the bat on the floor as you attempt a shot. Damage caused under these conditions is not covered by any bat warranty.

How to oil your cricket bat

Taking care of your cricket equipment will help increase its lifespan. In this article we discuss how to take care of your cricket bat. The purpose of oiling your cricket bat is to help prevent the wood from drying out and becoming brittle, it also helps to soften and bind the surface fibres of the willow during the knocking in process. By oiling the toe you are helping to prevent water ingression that could lead to the toe cracking and the face peeling.

A minimum of two light coats (preferably three) should be applied to the bat leaving 24 hours between coats for the oil to dry and soak in. During the drying time the cricket bat should be laid horizontally, out of direct sunlight. A coat of oil is about one 10p in area, but be especially generous with the oil around the toe area of your bat. Avoid oiling the splice area and the stickers as the oil could loosen the glue. Also NEVER stand the cricket bat in oil or apply too much oil as this will deaden the wood resulting in very poor performance.

How to choose your cricket bat

The most important piece of cricket equipment in one’s cricket bag is one’s cricket bat. This is the tool of the batsman’s trade. It is to a batsman what a wand is to a magician or a baton to a conductor. It is what you weave your magic with in the pursuit of that elusive century!

Choosing a bat is a very personal thing and depends on your height, your strength and what your major scoring areas are. Knowing these details will help you find the best piece of cricket equipment for a cricket present.

As a rule of thumb juniors should use a bat that is no longer than their hip-bone when standing upright and light enough to play both straight strokes with a full face as well as cross bat strokes such as cutting and pulling. On the lighter side if faced with a choice; a heavy bat can be the ruin of up and coming youngsters. At Cricket Specialists we offer many varied types of cricket bat's see if we have your next bat here!

Adults should use a short handle bat if of average height, but some players may prefer a super short handle or a long handle, depending on their stature and the preferred feel those two bats might offer.

If you play all around the wicket, a bat in the middle of the weight range (2 lbs 9 ozs – 2 lbs 10 ozs) with a balanced “middle” (that is, the weight of the bat is balanced in the middle of the blade) is recommended.

Those players who score frequently square of the wicket, cutting, pulling and hooking, might look to choose a lighter bat (2 lbs 6 ozs – 2 lbs 8 ozs) with a slightly higher “middle” which allows more freedom playing cross-bat shots.

Batsmen who ideally like to score “down the ground”, in the V, might consider a heavier blade, greater than 2 lbs 10 ozs with a slightly lower “middle”, to allow them the greater bat momentum when hitting over the top.

In all instances, it is really about how the bat feels: Does it have a balanced pick up and “feel”? Is it the correct weight (not too heavy and not too light)? Can you envisage yourself taking on the quick stuff, “dibbly dobblers” and spinners alike with confidence in your willow? If you can say yes to all the above, you have found your perfect blade!

Once you have chosen your cricket bat, according to your height, strength and scoring areas, it is vital that the bat is looked after and maintained to give you as much service as possible.

Newsletter 26/10/2008

It is almost that time when we start thinking about Christmas and what on earth we are going to buy for our loved ones.


We are delighted that we still have some great offers available on our Clearance Stock page which can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/specialoffers.php


Our Woodworm prices on selected Junior and Adult bats, as well as Junior pads and gloves must be the most competitive in the market, as are the fantastic deals on selected Asics bowling and batting boots. We also dare you to find a cheaper price for the Twenty-20 specialist BDM bat, the BDM Untamed in Short Handle priced at only £199.99. This piece of willow is top grade quality and will have not only fielders and bowlers, but spectators too, running for cover.


Anyone looking for some skins compression long-sleeve tops and long leggings at a discount just as the Winter Rugby and Hockey season starts to gain momentum will be thrilled with the Skins clearance stock. Our full range of Skins Sport, Skins She, Skins Outdoor and Skins Travel & Recovery goods can be viewed at:
http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/brands.php?Skins%20Compression%20and%20Therapeutic%20Wear?skins


Skins have also bought out a new range called Skins ICE, which uses Microencapsulation Technology (MET). Skin ICE uses MET to embed tiny microcapsules into their proprietary fabric during the manufacturing process. The effects of activity like perspiration, friction, pressure and body temperature trigger these microcapsules to release a cooling menthol substance that has been scientifically proven to induce a cool feeling by stimulating thermo receptors in your skin. A subtle menthol aroma is also released during activity which further evokes a cool sensation.


These will be available in the UK soon so watch this space!


We are also delighted to announce that pre-orders for the new Kookaburra 2009 range can be taken now.


Kookaburra, one of the world's "premier" cricket equipment suppliers, has some fantastic new goods on offer for 2009.


Joining the Kahuna, Ice and Blade bat ranges is a brand new Beast range for those players who like to be "big" at the crease. Kahuna also have a new "Biggest Kahuna" bat range, which are not for the wimps among us, and range from 3 lbs upwards. The 2009 Beast range also includes a new glove and pad spec.


Brad Haddin has put his name to the new range of 'keepers' gloves and pads. These can be seen in action during the current India v Australia series on the sub-continent.
There are also brand new Kookaburra helmets, cricket boots and bags in the offering, all at great prices.


The new 2009 Kookaburra range can be seen at http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/brands.php?Kookaburra+cricket


Albion too have announced their new range for 2009. Of particular interest to you may be the new NXT helmet, purported to be the must-have helmet in 2009 from a technological and safety point of view. Check out their new range at:
http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/brands.php?Albion?helmets


We read with interest the sticky wicket Woodworm seem to have got themselves in to, as well as England captain KP's move to Adidas' new cricket range:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/kevinpietersen/3204505/Kevin-Pietersen-snaps-up-lucrative-bat-deal-after-the-demise-of-Woodworm-Cricket.html


Cricket Specialist will be one of the few stockists of Adidas kit and we invite you to make a pre-order soon at http://www.cricketspecialist.co.uk/cricket_bats.php?Adidas%20Cricket. For a £50 deposit you will ensure you have first dibs on the new bats and pads, accessories and soft goods coming out early next year.


A full online schedule, with images and product descriptions, will be online soon. From end-November you can assess the four ranges of the new Adidas Bats - the Pellara, Libro and Incurza - as well their four sub-ranges, with prices from £60 to £280, as well as the new pads, gloves, accessories and boots. We will then contact you to when you place an order to finalise the order and advise of expected receipt.


Please visit soon where we will have a Christmas page, packed with goodies to fill those Christmas stockings.