How to prepare and care for you cricket bat

Have you just bought a new cricket bat? If so, there are a few things you need to know about how to care for your cricket bat. By following the recommendations in this blog for caring for your cricket bat, you have a better chance of keeping your cricket bat in good condition. 

Cricket bats are made from carefully selected English Willow, that is naturally soft and fibrous. It is not uncommon for bats to show signs of bruising, scarring and dents even with little use. This is normal wear and tear and will not affect the performance of your bat. 

However, you need to be aware that you need to care for your cricket bat, so here are the key tips to keep your cricket bat in good condition.  

Prepare for Use 

You should knock-in your cricket bat for a minimum of 6 hours using a bat mallet or using other recommended techniques, with greater force being applied progressively throughout the knocking-in process. You should make sure you knock-in the sides and toe of the blade and don’t just focus on the middle of the bat. 

DO NOT use your cricket bat straight away whether that be in practice or in a game. If you don’t knock-in your cricket bat, it is at greater risk of damage and cracking. 

Oil your bat 

Before using your cricket bat you should gently apply a small amount of linseed oil on all parts of your cricket bat except the splice. This should be done at least 3 times throughout the season. 

DO NOT over oil your cricket bat, as this can damage your cricket bat. If you are unsure please get in touch with us here at Cricket Pavilion. 

How to store your cricket bat

You should store your cricket bat in a cool, dry place such as a garage or shed, this will allow for a small amount of moisture to be absorbed from the atmosphere. 

It is highly recommended and good practice that you DO NOT store your cricket bat in areas that get hot e.g. near radiators or fire places. This will dry the cricket bat out and will make it vulnerable to damage. 

PLEASE NOTE: Every time you use your bat and the ball hits the toe or edge of the cricket bat it has a chance of breaking. Even if you have followed the knocking-in, oiling and storage process, cricket bats are not designed to last forever and because of this there is no guarantee on how long your cricket bat will last. 

Additional Bat Care Tips: 

Here are a few more tips to help keep your cricket bat in the best condition: 

• Avoid the bat getting wet, especially the edges, and toe of the bat.
• If you get a few cracks around the edges or on the face of the bat, this is completely normal and is nothing to panic about. You could send your cricket bat off for light refurbishment or if you have the urge you can use sandpaper (180-220) sand down the cracks and then apply a little linseed oil.
• Oil your bat more frequently, if your cricket bat appears to be getting dry through the season.
• Visual signs are often the best way to tell if something is wrong, so keep a close eye on your cricket bat. 
• Make sure your cricket bat is refurbished after every cricket season to help keep it in good condition.