Cricket Bat Care

Cricket Bat Preparation and Care

Cricket Bat Preparation: Essential Steps to Ensure Optimal Performance and Longevity

Why Oiling your bat is so important

Oiling your cricket bat is an essential part of its maintenance and upkeep and the main purpose of oiling is to maintain the moisture levels within the blade and prevent cracking or splitting. 

The face of a natural-faced bat must be treated with raw linseed oil or a specialist cricket bat oil or wax (did you know we sell a bat wax), nothing else is acceptable as this helps to nourish the wood and keep it in top condition.

The willow used in cricket bats is obviously a natural material that can be prone to drying out and cracking, which can be due to various factors such as exposure to sunlight, changes in temperature, and frequent use, so by oiling the bat regularly, you are helping to prevent these issues and extend the life of your bat.

In addition to the above, oiling can also enhance the performance of your bat, when you oil the blade (not the splice, that’s really important), you are helping to compress the fibers and make the surface smoother which results in a more responsive and powerful blade, allowing you to make the most of every shot. 

So a well-oiled bat is not only less likely to crack or split, but it also provides a better performance on the pitch.

End of Season Care

At the end of a long season, why not treat your bat to a full winter service.  Here at Trogon we offer a full service, just visit our service page and get your bat looking and feeling great ready for the winter nets.

Why Knocking in your cricket bat is so important

Knocking in your cricket bat is an essential step in preparing it for use and maximizing its performance and lifespan. The knocking in process helps to compress the fibers of the willow in the face and edges of the bat, creating a barrier to protect it against impact from the ball. This results in a more responsive and durable bat that is less likely to crack or split.

The knocking in process should be undertaken carefully, using a special bat mallet or an old, high-quality cricket ball. 

The cricket bat should be struck repeatedly in all areas where one would normally expect to hit the ball, using gradually increasing force, so the middle and edges. Make sure you pay special attention to the edges, but avoid striking them directly at a right angle to the blade, as this can cause damage. 

Effective knocking in can significantly improve the performance of your bat. When the fibers are compressed, the surface becomes smoother and more responsive, allowing you to make the most of every shot. Furthermore, a well-knocked-in bat is less likely to crack or split, meaning that it will last longer and provide you with better performance on the pitch.