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.