What is a cricket bat?
The modern day cricket bat is a rectangular piece of willow that is rectangular in shape and fitted with a cane handle. There are numerous other components to the cricket bat that ensure performance and durability.
History of the Cricket Bat
The cricket bat has evolved over the years. Early cricket bats from the 18th century were not dissimilar in their look to a modern-day field hockey stick. The bat then progressed to look like a curved bat and eventually to a rectangular bat. Even the rectangular bats had shoulders that were not square, they were similar to the Excalibur bat that was produced by Newbery for Lance Cairns.
As methods of production have improved so have the power of cricket bats. The MCC was concerned that bats were becoming too large in their edges and therefore made amendments to what is known as MCC Law 5.
The law dictates the maximum possible size for a cricket bat. The size dictated is no more than 38 inches in length and a width no more than 4.25 inches. The recent amendment to the rule was regarding the edges. Law 5, now states, that the edge can be no bigger than 1.56 inches and the swell depth can be no bigger than 2.64 inches.
Odd Cricket Bats Through The Ages
There has been a number of odd cricket bats through the ages. Dennis Lillee came out to bat with a cricket bat known as the ComBat, this bat was made of aluminum and was quickly disallowed for use by the umpires.
T20 Cricket Bats
The advent of T20 has seen innovation on the bat making front as well. The Mongoose cricket bat was a cricket bat that had a longer handle and shorter blade. The idea was to allow the batsman to get more speed into the swing, much like a golf club. Large manufacturers like Kookaburra and GM have also manufactured bats with shortened blades and longer handles for this purpose.
General Sizing of Cricket Bats
Cricket bats are available in a wide range of sizes and weights to suit junior and senior cricket players.
Adult cricket players will mainly use a Harrow Size or the most commonly used Short Handle size. The cricket bat in these instances will generally come up to the mid-thigh point of the batsman. In terms of junior sizes, bats range in the numbering of 0-6, with zero being the smallest infant size and 6 the largest junior size. Diminutive adults can use junior sized bats, as top-quality bats are also produced in the junior sizes.
As a rule of thumb, players should look for the bat to come up to the mid-thigh point and perhaps slightly higher for junior cricketers.
The weight range of senior cricket bats is generally from 2lbs6oz to 3lbs. A good weight for a batsman to feel comfortable with can be done through a very simple test.
The batsman should be able to hold the bat out straight with his weaker hand and have it be very steady.
Junior weight ranges vary by size, with weights available for even the most junior of cricketers.
The Willow
The most commonly used willow for cricket bats is English Willow. The trunk of the tree is spliced into 4 pieces. They are then cut into lengths of about 2 feet. The blades of willow are then inspected for any damage and graded into various qualities.
Once delivered to the cricket bat makers, the willows are separated and worked on individually to create a cricket bat. The best cricket bats in the world are still handcrafted.
The cricket bat maker will use numerous tools that are specifically made for the trade. The blade will be trimmed to the desired size and then a "V" shape will be cut into the top of the bat. This is where the handle will be fitted. (The Handle will be discussed next) The blade then goes through multiple heavyweight compression rollers. These rollers will pack the density of the willow, ensuring the fibers bind together and the maximum amount of willow is condensed at the lowest weight. The willow will then be shaved using a specific tool known as a podshaver to create the profile, spine, and shoulders of the bat.
The bat is then ready to get fitted with the handle.
The Handle
The handle itself needs to be prepared. Thin sheets of graphite are sandwich between pieces of highly flexible and durable cane. The cane strips and graphite come to a "V" shape end and are ready to be sandwiched between the "V" that has been cut in the willow.
A lavish coating of high powered wood glue is applied inside of the "v" and the cane handle is wedged in and then held like that for several hours with a clamp. The handle itself is then coated with a high power glue and placed on a spindle where it is spun and a high durability smooth fired twine is spun smoothly and compactly around the handle.
A composite lacquer is then brushed over the twine to ensure it stays in place, holding the handle together.
The bat will now go for final finishing, this will include sanding, the placement of the decal stickers and the application of the rubber grip that is placed over the handle.
Cricket bat making has become more scientific through the use of computer-aided drawing and computer-aided manufacturing. Yet, the best bats in the world are made by expert batmakers that have an eye for the perfect finish on the bat.
The Finishing of a Cricket Bat
The cricket bat undergoes two unique processes before being considered fit for use.
The first process is known as oiling.
Oiling the Cricket Bat
Cricket bats should be oiled with linseed oil. The oiling provides the bat with a protective layer that keeps harmful elements at bay from the bat as well as giving longevity and durability to the willow. Many of the world's best cricket bats will have an anti-scuff protective sheet placed over the bat once the oiling has been done. As its name suggests, the anti-scuff sheet prevents scratches and scuffs from damaging the surface of the cricket bat.
The second process that needs to be done is known as knocking-in the cricket bat.
Knocking-In the Cricket Bat
Knocking-in a cricket bat is time-consuming but it is a labor of love for those people who decide to do it themselves. A specific wooden mallet is used to knock-in the surface of the blade. This process breaks down the fibers in the willow and binds them together to create a strong, durable, dense and powerful hitting area on the cricket bat. Care should be taken not to knock-in to vigorously at the splice of the bat. A fully knocked in cricket bat can take between 5 and 7 hours when knocking in by-hand.
Many people prefer to have their bats knocked-in by specifically made cricket bat knocking-in machines. These machines do the same process at a rapid pace. The result is that a player can have delivered a cricket bat that is ready-for-use.
The Final Product
The final product of the cricket bat is made up of these two basic components, the blade, and the handle but there are many parts that are referred to in the final product.
The Toe
The very bottom of the bat is known as the toe of the cricket bat. There is no set size as to how big the toe of the cricket bat is.
The Splice
The exact area where the handle has been fitted to the blade of the cricket bat is known as the splice. This is perhaps the weakest part of the cricket bat.
The Shoulders
On either side of the splice is the shoulders of the cricket bat.
The Sweet Spot
The middle of the bat where the bat has the best strength is known as the sweet spot. There is no set area of the sweet spot but this is usually in the exact mid position of the blade. Bat makers can manipulate with the sweet spot location.
The Edges
The sides of the bat are known as the edges.
What is a cricket bat?
The modern day cricket bat is a rectangular piece of willow that is rectangular in shape and fitted with a cane handle. There are numerous other components to the cricket bat that ensure performance and durability.
