The History of Custom Made Cricket Bats: A Journey Through Time

As a small business owner and fervent lover of the great game of cricket (some would call me a badger), I've always been intrigued by the cricket bat's evolution – that essential piece of willow that has been at the heart of numerous unforgettable cricketing moments.

While most see it merely as a tool to score runs, I see it as an artefact, telling tales of cricketers past, the legacy of custom cricket bat creation, and the craftsmanship that’s stood the test of time.

But how have cricket bats changed in the last 100 years?

Over the last 100 years, cricket bats have evolved significantly. Originally made with thinner edges and consistent shapes, modern bats now feature thicker edges and larger sweet spots to enhance power and performance, catering to the dynamic demands of contemporary cricket.

Join me as we travel back in time and explore the rich cricket bat history.

From Humble Beginnings: The Early Days

Cricket, with its origins in southeast England during the 16th century, saw bats that were starkly different from today's designs.

Early bats resembled hockey sticks and were primarily used to hit the ball along the ground. It was only in the 18th century that the bat began to take its familiar, straight shape, owing to the introduction of the law that disallowed underarm bowling.

The evolution of cricket bats in these formative years was intertwined with the sport's rules. As the game progressed and bowling techniques advanced, batters needed equipment to match the challenge of ever increasing speeds.

Can you imagine WG Grace using the bat he used when facing Mark Wood or Mitchell Stark, it wouldn’t last 2minutes and even if the bat didnt break, his wrists would.

The 20th Century: Personalization Comes into Play

With cricket becoming an international sensation in the 20th century, just think of the increase of T20 tournaments around the world, cricketers started to gain star status, and batters could go from zero to hero with one inning, and that innings could earn them millions.

With fame came the desire for individuality and the idea of better bats, then custom cricket bat creation blossomed, as each player sought a bat that complemented their unique style with the aim of making that life changing innings.

Sir Donald Bradman, often regarded as the best batter of all time, used a bat with a slightly narrower width but with a heavier feel, aiding his rapid footwork and impeccable timing.

The great West Indian, Sir Vivian Richards, preferred a heavier bat, allowing him to play his aggressive, dominant shots and boy could he hit the ball miles.

Traditional vs Modern Bat Designs

As the game's pace quickened, the bat's design had to keep up. The historical bat-making techniques, which focused on durability and sturdiness, slowly gave way to more dynamic designs. The emphasis shifted towards power, and balance, to enhance shot versatility and durability became less prevelant.

Modern bats, especially in the era of T20 cricket, are characterized by thick edges and a bulky profile, helping batters play aerial shots with ease, looking for that extra 5% in ping has become an obsession with many pro batters.

This created a balancing act for bat makers, do they make bats that last time or do they make a bat that lasts a short period of time but produces 5-10% extra ping and distance, what do you think pro players would want?

With some many changes in the game, the rule makers (MCC) needed to put their heads together and get some rules and laws in place.

The MCC's Stance: Rules and the Reasoning Behind Them

While the individuality and customization of cricket bats have been an intrinsic part of the game's history, it's essential to understand that this evolution is bounded by specific guidelines.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), cricket's traditional custodian, has always been proactive in ensuring that the game maintains its balance between bat and ball.

Historical Context: In the early days of cricket, there were hardly any strict regulations concerning bat dimensions. This was evident in the 1771 incident when a batsman named Thomas White brought out a bat as wide as the wicket, leading to an immediate change in the rules!

Modern Regulations: The recent surge in high-scoring games, particularly in the shorter formats, drew attention to the increasing size of cricket bats.

Edges became thicker, and the overall depth of bats increased, offering batters an undeniable advantage. Bowlers and purists argued that this upset the game's delicate balance.

In response, the MCC introduced new regulations in 2017. As per the current guidelines:

• The edge thickness cannot exceed 40mm.
• The overall depth of the bat cannot be more than 67mm.

The Rationale: The primary reason behind these regulations was to maintain a fair contest between bat and ball. While batters should be rewarded for skill and technique, bowlers too needed a fighting chance, particularly in an era dominated by batter-friendly pitches and boundary-laden spectacles.

The new rules aimed to ensure that mis-hits wouldn't easily sail over the boundary and that genuine skill, rather than just the bat's size, played a decisive role in a player's success.

These regulations, coupled with the evolution of cricket bats, offer a fascinating insight into the game's adaptability. The MCC, while embracing change, ensures that the sport's integrity remains undiluted.

However, its worth noting that even with these changes to the laws of the bats, the primary way of seeing if a bat meets these laws is using a bat gauge, see below image.

It is worth noting that even though the edge side is 40mm at 107mm bat width, but reducing the bat width to 105mm or 104mm the edge size can increase to 44mm and still fit perfectly through the gauge.

I know a couple of pro-international batters that use bats that are 44mm edges and 105mm width, these are household names and its working perfectly for them.

The Craftsmanship: Influential Bat Makers in Cricket History

Behind every great bat, there's a craftsman who poured hours into its creation. Brands like Gray-Nicolls, Gunn & Moore, and Slazenger have been at the forefront of bat-making, with their roots deep in the game's history.

These influential bat makers in cricket history have served legends of the game, constantly innovating and personalizing to cater to each player's unique needs.

For instance, Sachin Tendulkar, cricket's highest run-scorer, was known for his specific requirements. His bat was made to precise specifications, ensuring a lightweight feel but with a powerful punch and only had 5-6 grains - a reflection of his batting style.

The Art Continues: Custom Bats in Today's Game

Today, with advanced technology and machinery, one might think the age-old craft of custom bat-making is fading. But, in reality, the legacy of custom cricket bat creation is stronger than ever, there are more and more one-man-band bat makers making some of the best bats in the world.

As I'm sure you can appreciate, I'm not going to name these bat makers in my blog, however, it only takes a quick Google search or to look at Instagram or TikTok and you can see these wonderful bat makers, some of whom I pleased to say are close friends.

Players, from club cricketers to international stars, seek that perfect piece of willow, crafted to amplify their strengths and here at Trogon we are striving to do the same.

Steve Smith's bat, with its distinctive large "duckbill" toe, or David Warner's Kaboom, with its massive profile, are modern examples of how personalized bats define a player's style, even today and at Trogon cricket we embrace the history and put a modern take on all our bats.

But what does the future of cricket bats look like?  Let’s have delve into what we think could be around the corner;

Peering into the Crystal Ball: The Future of Cricket Bats

The ever-evolving landscape of cricket continually influences the way bats are crafted and perceived.

As we delve deeper into the 21st century, various factors promise to reshape the art and science of cricket bat manufacturing.

Technological Interventions: With the onset of technology, it's no surprise that the cricketing realm is poised for a revolution. Advanced 3D printing might soon play a role in crafting bats to the minutest of specifications, ensuring every groove and curve is tailor-made to a batsman’s style.

Moreover, smart bats embedded with sensors could become mainstream, providing real-time feedback on stroke play, bat speed, and impact points, helping players refine their technique instantaneously and become better players.

These are just some views, there are more and these may not come to life.

The Environmental Angle: The Double-Edged Sword of Climate Change Climate change, with its myriad implications, has a unique influence on the cricketing world, particularly on the English willow, the esteemed 'Salix Alba Caerulea'.

Recent observations suggest that changing weather patterns are accelerating the growth of these trees. A quicker growth cycle means trees mature and are ready for felling sooner than in previous decades.

However, this expedited growth has a noticeable side-effect: the bats derived from these trees often have a reduced grain count. Traditional wisdom linked a higher grain count with superior quality and performance, but this isn't always the case - read our blog post about cricket bat grains and make your own mind up.

Yet, in this new era, even bats with fewer grains, a result of the sped-up growth, are delivering exceptional performance on the field. This challenges long-held notions and offers an interesting dimension to the art of bat selection.

Moreover, the accelerated growth cycle also brings forth questions about sustainable harvesting. As these trees are felled sooner, ensuring replantation and sustainable practices will be crucial to meet the ongoing demand and protect the legacy of the iconic English willow.

But don’t just take our word with this, check out JS Wright & Co’s Instagram and you will see they are talking about the same thing.

The Market Dynamics: The meteoric rise of cricket in the Asian markets, especially India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, has led to an increasing demand for premium quality bats.

While English willow remains the gold standard, the surge in demand might see an exploration of alternative sources of willow.

Additionally, collaborations between traditional English manufacturers and Asian market leaders could emerge, blending the best of both worlds: traditional craftsmanship with innovative designs catering to the new breed of cricketers.

At Trogon, I’m an advocate for alternative willows which is why we stock Kashmir Willow and Dutch hybrid clefts as cheaper, but still brilliant options for our cricket bats. 

I have written extensively about alternative willows which you can find here - Trogon alternative willows and hybrids.

In Conclusion

The cricket bat is not just a piece of equipment; it's a testament to the game's rich heritage, the battles fought in the middle, and the players' undying passion. As a business owner passionate about this legacy, I invite you to not just buy a bat but to own a piece of history, crafted especially for you.

In a game where every run counts, ensure your bat does too. Embrace the tradition, revel in the craftsmanship, and let your custom-made bat be a reflection of your love for the game and your ambition to excel. 

For all new cricket bat enquiries contact Len on Len@trogoncricket.com or WhatsApp +44 07539000063 and he will answer all your questions, or;