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It’s important to take good care of your cricket bat. You must, however, take the following actions before going outside to play. This will lengthen its lifespan and enhance its functionality.
Many of us forget that when we finish playing the sport, it also needs cricket bat repair and some of the same care we give other necessities. The majority of us remove the bat whenever we have a game or match, bat with it, and then put it back in its spot.
But how do you take good care of your cricket bat?
First and foremost, cricket bats require lubrication, so do so.
It significantly lowers the likelihood of cracking and prevents the willow from drying out. Natural-faced bats should be softly lubricated with cricket bat oil or linseed oil all over the face and the toe. Use a soft cloth or your finger after being lightly sanded with 150-grit sandpaper to remove polish when initially acquired. Less oiling is necessary if you purchased a bat that is covered or equipped with an anti-scuff sheet, because these bats can keep their moisture.
However, if you’re unsure how much oil to use, just ask one of our knowledgeable employees or bring your bat into one of our locations for some expert advice.
Knocking-In
Each and every cricket bat must be “knocked in.” Although some cricket bats advertise that they are “pre-prepared” in the factory, this does not necessarily imply that the bat is ready for usage. Even when a bat that has been pre-prepared has been greased, pressed, and lightly knocked in by hand, it still has to knock in for at least two hours before it can be used.
Non-prepared bats will require considerably more time—around five to six hours. Your bat has a lower likelihood of breaking the more thoroughly you hit it.
What does it mean for a cricket bat to be “knocked in”?
The willow fibers are compressed and knit together when a cricket bat is knocked in. This gives the bat the durability it requires to resist a cricket ball’s impact. The finest tool for cricket bat knocking is a cricket bat mallet.
Your bat’s performance will be directly impacted by how it is whacked in. This is why it’s not the best idea to repeatedly bounce an old ball off the bat’s face.
How should my cricket bat be knocked in?
To properly break in your cricket bat, patience is a must. The second thing you’ll need is a mallet for a cricket bat. Start by lightly tapping the bat’s blade. Continue tapping while gradually putting more pressure on all parts of the face where you would typically expect to strike the ball.
The edges shouldn’t be hammered at an angle. If you’ve done it right, the edges should curve and condense as you knock them in more curve and condense as you knock them in more. It will also improve the ping. Oval Sports suggests that you knock in your bat for three to four weeks. Once you are confident that the knocking-in procedure is complete, go to the nets and begin practicing with your bat and high-quality, used balls.
Check your bat after facing a few balls at once. Your bat is not suitable for match play if it has any seam marks or significant indentations; therefore, you will need to spend extra time knocking in. Your bat is ready for use once you have finished knocking in the seams and there are no visible seam lines or indentations on the blades.
Remember, the lifespans of cricket bats vary. Your cricket bat should be properly broken in and periodically oiled if you want to get the most out of it.
