A Comprehensive Guide To Cricket Bats and Knocking In

Please be aware that our 'Knocking In Service' can take up to 14 days at busy times of the year.

General Cricket Bat Information

Most Cricket bats are made from Salix Caerulea or Alba Var English willow, which is by nature a soft fibrous timber which possesses the perfect characteristics, namely balance, power and durability to perform in a Cricketing environment. The qualities of English willow are enhanced during production through the drying and pressing of the timber.

All Cricket bats will sustain wear and tear during use, this is perfectly natural, and with collision speeds over 100 mph, it is easy to see why. Normal wear and tear expected from a cricket bat blade is surface cracking to the face and edges and discolouration of the blade, and in these cases the performance of the bat won't be affected. Damage on the other hand can occur due to misuse, mis timed strokes, incorrect storage, lack of maintenance, use against sub standard cricket balls and use in wet conditions. If damage appears on the bat, it should be referred immediately for assessment.

To make sure that you gain the most from your new Cricket bat it is essential that it is prepared (knocked in) and maintained in the correct manner. Once the bat has been knocked in it is imperative that you should maintain your bat as follows;

Store in a moderate constant temperature.

Try to avoid wet conditions.

Try to avoid use against cheap sub standard balls.

Try not to drive Yorkers.

Don't over oil the bat.

Try to avoid excessive mis timed shots.

We strongly recommend that bats are booked in for end of season work. This can include all levels of repair, oiling, re-gripping, toe guard fitting and anti scuff sheet fitting, and is proven that it will help prolong the life of your bat.

Choosing the correct Cricket bat for you will help to further enhance your love of this great game. We strongly recommend that you contact us prior to purchasing a bat to discuss your exact requirements, and help our expert advise guide you to a successful purchase.

Willow Grading

This information has been put together to give you an insight into Cricket bat willow grading, and why some bats cost more than others. All bats have different characteristics from balance and pick up to the width of the grain. As a rule of thumb, the softer (narrow grain) willow has excellent performance qualities but shorter lifespan, whereas the harder (broader grain) willow tends to last longer but takes time before you get optimum performance from it. All bats are graded on performance and made from a natural material so the grain structure can vary.

Very best Grade 1+ willow - This is the best willow that money can buy. The blade is unbleached and usually has 8-12 blemish free straight grains to a large extent. The price of one of these bats would be over £450 for a full sized blade and over £200 for a junior blade.

Grade 1 willow - High quality unbleached English willow. As above but with a slightly broader grain and sometimes a slight red edge. The price of one of these bats would be between £350 and £450 for a full sized blade and £150-£200 for a junior blade.

Grade 2 willow - Unbleached English willow with some minor blemishes, red wood on the edge and a slight irregular grain. The price of one of these bats would be between £250 and £350 for a full sized blade and around £120-£150 for a junior blade.

Grade 3 willow - Some of these bats will be bleached English willow to cover up a more irregular grain and more blemishes. The price of one of these bats would be between £200 and £250 for a full sized blade and £100-£120 for a junior blade.

Grade 4 willow - This will be bleached English willow which is often covered up with a protective facing and sold as "non oil". The price of one of these bats would be between £150 and £200 for a full sized blade and £70-£100 for a junior blade.

Kashmir willow - Found in cricket sets and sub £45 junior bats. Kashmir willow is harder and dryer by nature than English willow, so doesn't perform as well or last as long. This bat is ideal as a starter bat for use against a softer safety ball (Incrediballs, Wonderballs, Windballs e.t.c)

Knocking In (Free on selected bats from Talent Cricket)

Knocking in your Cricket bat is an essential part of its preparation. Even if you have purchased a "pre knocked in" bat, further knocking is always required. Below is a step by step guide to knocking in.

1. Apply Raw linseed oil to the face, edges and back of the bat evenly, 2 to 3 teaspoons of oil is the correct amount. Whilst oiling take care not to oil the splice (where the handle fits into the blade), handle or labelled areas, also take great care not to over oil the bat as this will deaden the fibres of the timber and affect performance.
2. Leave the bat horizontal and face up to dry for 24 hours.
3. If you are planning to use the bat in its natural state, without an anti scuff sheet, then repeat steps 1 and 2 twice more. If you are planning to have a protective anti scuff sheet fitted then one initial coat of oil is sufficient.
4. Wipe off any excess oil and knock in your bat with a specialist bat mallet for approximately 4 hours. The edges and toe of the blade require particular attention using glancing blows off the face to harden and round these areas. Particular care and attention should be made not to hit the edges, toe or back of the bat directly as this will cause damage. The knocking in should be performed with gradual increasing force, but never too hard to cause damage. Light opening of the grain structure and small surface abrasions can occur and will not affect the bats performance or durability.
5. Fibre tape is applied to the edges of the bat and an Anti scuff sheet is fitted over the top if required. We strongly recommend this procedure.
6. Test the blade using a good quality old ball during a light net session or having "throw downs". If seam marks and indentations occur further knocking in is required.
7. Go out and enjoy your new bat!

* THE KNOCKING IN SERVICE IS FREE ON SELECTED BATS FROM TALENT CRICKET!

Bat Weights

You will notice on our site that all of our cricket bats, (with the exception of junior bats) are listed as light, medium and heavy. We at Talent Cricket put more emphasis on the balance and pick up characteristics of a bat more so than the "dead weight" of the cricket bat. As a guide a light bat will weigh between 2lb 6oz and 2lb 9oz, a medium bat will weigh 2lb 9oz to 2lb 11oz and a heavy bat between 2lb 11oz and 3lb. If a specific dead weight is required then please enter this in the "additional notes" section at the end of the online order form, or contact us to discuss your exact requirements.