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.