Bat Knocking In Service Near Me? Quick Answer

Tapping a cricket bat is the process of conditioning and hardening the blade surface that can be tedious, tedious and noisy, but it is an essential process in increasing the bat’s life and performance. When you hit a cricket bat, the fibers of the willow are compressed and become hard enough to withstand the impact and force of a cricket ball, giving you good rebound and feel when hitting the leather ball. It also helps protect the racquet from cracks and splits.

Ideally, you should spend at least four to six hours beating a cricket bat with gradual pressure, even if it has been primed or shipped “ready to play,” to condition and harden your bat for rigorous practice use at net or competitive play. However, if you don’t have time to break your own racket or don’t want to upset family or neighbors; VSports offers a full Knocking In service in-house using a Lignum Knocking Mallet and a purpose built machine for the process.

We offer this service to over 700 cricket bats each year. This service includes: hammering, club oiling and antiscuff blade protective cover if required. We recommend this to all customers after purchasing a new racquet.

Once the bat has been battered, we recommend using it first with an old soft cricket ball and then gradually progressing to a new ball.

PLEASE MAKE AN ORDER ONLINE AND ALLOW A COPY OF THE ORDER CONFIRMATION WHEN SENDING YOUR CRICKET BAT.

Send to: (F.O.A Repairs Dept) V Sports, Unit 4 Amphion Business Park, Silverstone Drive, Coventry, UK, CV6 6PD

Please allow 10-14 days (during peak season) for this service.

If ANTISCUFF (clear protective blade cover) is not required, please select the correct option in the drop down menu.

If toe protection or additional grips (fitted) are required please add one of the available options below

FULL HOME REPAIR SERVICE:

The game of cricket can sometimes leave your bat in dire need of maintenance. Rather than dumping your racquet and looking for a new one, if you’re looking to keep your old favorite racquet working, you may be able to extend the life of your racquet while maintaining blade performance with our in-house racquet repair service.

Bat repairs include:

• Generally tidy and clean

• Surface cracks, lifting, face blade damage

• Special repairs of damaged toes (IE: Yorker or Mistimed Shots)

• Water toe damage

• Weight reduction

• Broken handles

• Redesign handles

• Mount new handles

For more information about our in-house bat repair service or to make an inquiry, please fill out the form on the detailed information page and we will get back to you shortly. You can also call our repair department on +44(0)24 76360300.

Article number: V-BAT-KNOCKIN

From pads to helmets, bats to balls, stumps to stirrups, there are many items needed to play cricket and the care of cricket equipment plays a big part in a player’s overall enjoyment of the sport.

When playing at a competitive level, players will need their own cricket equipment, including protective gear and their own bat. However, new players can’t just show up to a game, walk out onto the crease and start hitting the ball. Before doing so, players must smash their bat so that it can withstand the various hits of a hard cricket ball.

But what does it mean to “battle in” a cricket bat? How you do that? How long does it take? And what happens if you don’t hit your racket? We have all the answers and details for these questions below.

Choosing a cricket bat is not as easy as it might seem. Finally, this racquet will be your trusted partner when you hit the crease. If you want to get back to the pavilion with runs to your name, you need a racquet you can trust. Start researching great brands like Kookaburra, New Balance, Gray Nicolls, and Gunn and Moore. After that, it’s a good idea to try out a few racquets and see which one feels right for you. Once you’ve found the perfect racquet, it’s important to keep it in great condition. The first thing you have to do is smash your racquet. It might be a lengthy process, but smashing your racquet is the first step to being feared by bowlers everywhere. Here’s what you need to do.

Why hit the bat?

Tapping your racquet is the process of preparing the grains and fibers in the wood. It helps strengthen and compress these fibers to prepare your racquet for you. If you don’t hit it thoroughly and patiently, your club is more likely to break and dent when faced with a fastball.

How to tap your racquet: oiling, extratecting and tapping:

Oil

Oiling is an essential part of the tapping process. It reduces the likelihood of splits and dents by maintaining moisture levels in the racquet. Use a rag to apply linseed oil to all exposed wood parts of the blade. After coating the racquet, let it dry horizontally for 24 hours. This process should be done at least 3 times.

Beat

Here comes the dangerous part. In the past, a ball in a sock was used to hit the bat. But as you can imagine, it shoots out in all directions, causing your thumbs and shins to be smashed in like the bat. Fortunately, specially designed bat and ball bats are now available from cricket specialists. The four areas that require attention during the tapping process are the face, each edge, and the toe. Most of the time should be spent on the edges and toe. Start by “pushing” with the hammer, not tapping. Squeeze the hammer lightly at first and gradually build up the pressure. Pay the most attention to the edges of the bat’s face. After a few hours you can start throwing the hammer off the edges. This should start to “round” the edges. The rounder they are, the stronger they are. Repeat the same process on the toe. Once you’ve pushed the club in for some time, you can start tapping, focusing on the same areas. Remember that at the end of the process you should be hitting the club fairly hard with your club, as hard as a forward drive from a Brett Lee steamer. Patting is a laborious process that can take up to 16 hours. You don’t want to put in all that time and effort and then realize you did something wrong. Some of the best cricket shops even offer full bat preparation. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort, not to mention the confidence you’ll have when you go to the fold.

Extract

About 90% of new bat owners extratecate their bats. Extratec is a transparent, self-adhesive protective cover for your racquet. It keeps moisture in and gives your pasture an extra layer of protection.

Testing

Once your racquet has been smashed, take it to the nets for a few knockdowns with an old ball. If the racquet seems to withstand the pressure, build up the ball’s pace and hardness until you are confident you can use it to face an opening bowler. The entire process can take up to two weeks, but a bat is a significant investment and will last for at least several seasons.

Slamming your racquet is a vital process. Visit a cricket specialty store for advice or full bat preparation.

When someone buys a new cricket bat, there is a desire to get on the field and use it as soon as possible. However, it is important to understand that hitting a racquet ensures that the racquet is fully primed before touching the ball to avoid damage.

Your racquet may need to be smashed in and if this is the case, please read on.

Why do you need cricket bats smashed in?

When a new cricket mallet is delivered, the wood is practically in its soft, natural state. Tucking in a bat simply helps compress and knit together the fibers of the willow. The result is a much tougher piece of wood that is much more durable and resistant to damage during use.

Some racquets come “prepared” but still need to be batted in before being used on the nets or in a game situation. Others have no preparation at all and therefore require the full “knock-in” process. Your retailer page should make it clear if there has been any preparation, so if in doubt please contact customer service.

Cricket bats are traditionally made from willow wood, which is soft and fibrous. It offers the perfect weight and balance for in-game use, but its soft nature means it can be susceptible to damage if not handled properly. In this article, I’ll show you how you can make sure your new racquet is ready to play.

oils and care

Oiling is the first step in preparing cricket bats. This keeps moisture in the fibers and helps prevent splitting and tearing. Traditionally, raw linseed oil is used for oiling.

It’s important not to apply too much oil, so a first light coat should be applied with a cloth to the face, edges and toes (Note: If you’re new to the specific parts of the cricket bat, be sure to read first through our guide). Avoid the splice and all stickers. Leave to dry in a horizontal position for 24 hours and then wipe off any oil that has not been absorbed. Gently rub the racquet at this point with very light sandpaper before applying another fine coat of oil.

Note: If you wish to apply new decals to your racquet, do so after the tapping process!

Storage is also important in these early stages and avoiding humid conditions is imperative.

How do I break in my cricket bat?

With oil applied, it’s time to pat your racquet in. A bat hammer is a useful tool in this regard, but using an old cricket ball is also perfectly fine. The club should then be hit with the mallet or an old ball, lightly at first before gradually increasing the power.

It’s important to cover all areas where the racquet is likely to make contact with the ball, so start with the face of the racquet. Start with a light tap, then gradually increase the force. Hit the racquet hard but not too aggressively.

Proceed to the edges of the club but do not use excessive force here as the wood can be most brittle here. Finally, continue with the toe of the bat and repeat the process. Don’t hit the back of the racket.

How do I know when my club hit?

After this opening phase, the user can easily hit short balls in the face either in the nets or in the outside area. If there are seam marks, they should repeat the above steps.

If the racquet has no markings, the racquet should be sufficiently impacted.

How long should you batter a cricket bat?

The tapping process should take about six hours. This doesn’t have to be done in one sitting, but the quicker the better to prepare for game situations.

Can you bang a cricket bat too much?

It’s difficult to hit a racquet too hard, but it’s not theoretically impossible. Excessive hitting with a hammer or leather ball could cause the fibers to compress too much and they could lose their natural spring.

However, it would take many hours to reach this point.

Play in your racket

Beating is the first step in this process, but a new racquet is not quite finished. The next phase is called play-in and this is where the racquet reflects a game scenario. It’s perfectly fine to hit the nets and face regular bowlers, but a softer cricket ball should be used. One of the many training balls used by cricketers is perfect for this scenario.

The hitter should avoid serious tempo at this point, but seam bowlers and spin bowlers are perfect for the task. Play defensively first and note if the seam left marks on the racquet surface.

In the case of seam marks, it is necessary to go back to the beginning and start the tucking process from the beginning. If there are no markers, the hitter can start playing more expansive and offensive play. If no seam marks are visible on the racquet after several minutes of deliveries, the racquet should now be ready for use. It is now acceptable to put it in your pocket and take it to the game.

in summary

Bats are vital pieces of gear and can be the most expensive item in a player’s bag. Because of this, they must be treated with great care and the tapping process is simply vital.

Inadequate preparation can cause irreparable damage to the racquet, so it is imperative that the procedure is followed to ensure this vital piece of equipment is in optimal condition when it enters the field of play.

There comes a time in a cricketer’s life when we need to buy a new cricket bat or replace an old one! But perhaps even more important than buying a new bat is the post-purchase treatment that you need to do to cricket!

You don’t want to get into a situation where your new cricket bat is about to be cracked! After all, a good cricket bat is expensive and a little pre-treatment can greatly extend its life! This is where it comes in handy to hammer in a cricket bat.

Knock-in is a process of preparing a cricket bat for use. It helps to compact the fibers of the willow and make the bat stronger. This is done with a hammer hitting the face, edges and tip of the racquet. The tapping in combination with the oiling will help the racquet last longer.

You may be wondering why you can’t use your new cricket bat directly in a match! In today’s article, we answer these and other related questions along with the detailed procedure on how to correctly batt a cricket bat!

Why do cricket bats need knock-in?

Decent modern cricket bats are expensive. It would be unwise to use them for batting without properly preparing them for the impact of the leather ball.

Often the racquet breaks after the first few hits, leaving the racquet owner confused as to what went wrong. That’s why it’s important to understand what knock-in is and how to do it properly. What does hitting a cricket bat do?

All cricket bats are pressed during the manufacturing process. The pressing gives you a bit of conditioning and increases your punching power. A well-pressed racket will last longer. All cricket bats eventually break. A good impact ensures that the racquet lasts longer and does not break on the first first hits of the hard leather ball.

Did you know?

Beating in is an essential process to prepare the racquet for hitting as it helps the willow fibers in the face and edges to compress further to create a barrier. This barrier helps the bat take the impact of the fast cricket ball.

The process does not take much time, in general, 6 hours of knocking is enough. When done correctly, tapping can significantly increase the life of the racquet.

A little due diligence in understanding the knock-in process would go a long way in ensuring you have a perfect tool operating at its highest potential when it is your turn in a match.

It’s really not that difficult. All it takes is a little meticulousness and a little patience and a lot of controlled hitting with a mallet – the hammering.

Step-by-step procedure for knocking in a cricket bat

The cricket bat knock-in process can be broken down into two separate entities – oiling and knock-in. But before we delve any further into the process, let’s first get acquainted with the elements required to crack a cricket bat so we’re ready to begin the process.

Items needed to batter a bat

Have the following items ready before beginning the procedure –

A cricket bat bat – The most important item in the batting process. You can buy a decent bat hammer from Amazon. Linseed Oil or Specialty Cricket Bat Oil – These are essential for the oiling phase. Sandpaper – Used to clean the racquet surface prior to oiling. A soft cloth – To clean the racquet after oiling.

All of these items are reasonably easy to obtain and not that expensive.

Now that you have all of this ready, let’s move on to understanding the step-by-step process of oiling and tapping a cricket bat.

Oiling a Cricket Bat – What does oiling do to a cricket bat?

All cricket bats made of natural wood must be oiled with linseed or special cricket bat oil. The cricket bats generally crack or splinter due to the lack of moisture in them. Oiling helps maintain moisture levels in the racquet.

Care must be taken to avoid using too much oil as this is just as harmful as using too little oil. Some players dip the racquet in oil, which is an absolute no-go. The oiling takes place before the tapping process. In addition, the oiling may only be done at certain points of the racket.

Steps for oiling the cricket bat

Lightly clean the surface of the racquet with 180-200 grit sandpaper. After cleaning, you can use either raw linseed oil or special bat oil like Gray-Nicoll’s Linseed Oil [on Amazon] to oil it. Put some oil on the soft rag and apply a thin layer to the face, edges, toes and back of the racquet. “Thin” is a very important word here. Don’t overdo this step. Excessive oiling will dampen the fibers of the wood and affect performance. Also, be careful not to oil the racquet on the splice, grip, or lettered part. This could affect the glue that holds these parts together. Now let the bat lie horizontally overnight with the bat’s face facing up. Make sure the bat is completely dry in the morning.

Repeat the above process a few times. It cannot be stressed enough that you need to use just enough oil. Too much oil will damage your racquet.

Also, some cricket bats have “scuffs” – a protective cover on the face. It is not necessary to apply oil to the worn area of ​​the racquet. The oil is essentially applied to the wood. Everything else should be excluded from the oil process.

Now the oiling process is complete. The racquet is ready to hit. The knock in process is not that difficult, all it takes is patience and dedication to meticulously complete the process.

Cracking a Cricket Bat: Phase One

The first part of patting a cricket involves the following steps –

Before beginning the tapping process, ensure that excess oil from the oiling phase has been wiped off and the racquet surface is completely clean and dry.

Begin the impact process from the clubface. Hold the hammer and hit the club face hard but not too hard for the initial few hours. The punch can leave a small dent in this bat’s face, anything less than that means you’re hitting it harder than you should.

Note: An old cricket ball can also be used for the impaction process, but it is recommended to use a hammer for better control when hitting the bat surface.

When hitting the racquet face, make sure you hit evenly in the areas not covered with stickers. The racquet can break at any point that is not sufficiently compressed with sufficient impact. If the racquet surface is hit randomly, some areas may be insufficiently hit, leaving the racquet vulnerable in those places. It will defeat the purpose of hitting if the racquet breaks at these points.

A common mistake players make during the impact process is only hitting the 10-30 cm area at the bottom of the blade. Although this is the area primarily used to hit the ball, it’s important to hit the entire blade evenly.

Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar hits his bat with a hammer. (photo credit)

The best way to achieve evenness is to start with the edges and then move the central blade up and down while hitting the surface with the hammer consistently and with enough pressure. Increase the pressure as you advance the wrapping process.

Be extra careful when hitting the tip and edges of the club. Many players hitting the first tie make the mistake of hitting the clubhead directly on the toe and edges of the club.

It’s important to understand that the purpose of hammering in the tip and edges is to round off those areas and harden them. The best approach to doing this is to use grazing hits on these areas instead of direct hits. Some players use the back of the hammer to hit the tip and edges.

One can start with an angle of the hammer closest to the blade and then gradually move the edge where the angle would become 90 degrees. Continue this process on the edges and toes.

Note: Toes and edges require special attention as most badly hit racquets break at these points.

Do not hit the back of the racquet and the area around the splice with the racquet. The back of the racquet is not used to hit the ball and the splice is at risk of coming loose if hit by the racquet.

The back of the racquet is not used to hit the ball and the splice is at risk of coming loose if hit by the racquet. It is also advisable to oil the racquet at least twice between impacts. Generally, the oiling process is repeated after the 2nd and 5th hour. Please refer to the above article to do the oiling.

It is important to note that prior to the oiling process, the racquet must be re-sanded to clean the surface. Although the entire tapping process can take around 6 hours, the intermittent oiling makes it a multi-day project.

Note: Don’t ignore interval oiling just because it prolongs the tapping process. Remember that too little oil is just as harmful to the bat as too much oil.

As you cycle through the oiling and tapping process, gently press your fingernails against the beater every now and then. In the beginning this will leave some marks on the racquet surface, but as we continue, the racquet will be pressed more and it will be difficult to make these marks with fingernails.

Here is a good video of the tapping process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XzreSR98Is

After 6 hours of impact testing, check that the club has sufficient oil. To do this, run your finger over the blade of the racquet with appropriate pressure. If there is some oil on the finger, the bat has enough oil.

If the oil is not there, the racquet may need to be re-oiled. Repeat this process of checking the oil every 3 to 4 weeks. Stage one ends when the above steps are completed and the bat is ready to complete stage two.

Cracking a Cricket Bat: Phase Two

Your bat needs to be treated like a child. It should be slowly and steadily introduced to the harsher conditions – in this case, the impact of a high-speed cricket ball. Stage two is relatively simpler and somewhat validates the work done in stage one. If phase two doesn’t deliver the results you expect, don’t hesitate to go back to phase one.

Phase two is all about giving catches from close range with an old ball. Two things to note here: First, the ball should not be brand new or too old, that is, the seam should be pronounced – not too soft. Second, it should be a quality cricket ball.

Note: A leather ball hammer, as shown below, can also be used for this purpose for stage two controlled striking purposes, as explained in the video above.

A ball hammer made of leather. (photo credit)

Try to practice catching for about an hour. Hit the ball in different places on the racquet, including the edges. Check the bat in between to see if there are any seam marks on the bat.

If you find that certain spots are making marks on the racquet, try hitting those areas for about half an hour and repeat the second stage process.

If the traces of the seam can still be seen on these parts, the previous impaction process is not sufficient – at least not on the part where the traces are visible.

If such a situation arises, please go back to phase one and do a little more recording. If there are no markings on the face or edges of the racquet, the racquet can be assumed to be ready for break-in – which is the next and final step in the impaction process.

Cracking a Cricket Bat: Phase Three – Breaking In

Now your racquet has become stronger. But it would be unwise to send it directly to the battlefield – in this case, the live match. It really would be wasted effort if you centered the racquet against a new ball in a live game without warming it up and it broke.

Here you use the training sessions in the nets to play the racquet. Don your batting gear and get ready to hit the nets with your newly bashed racquet. Ask your bowlers to bowl at you with older but quality leather balls. If you have the bowling machine in your facility, use it to deliver you old balls at medium speed.

Try not to hit the shots right away. Play with soft hands first. Try to intentionally hit different parts of the racket. It’s okay to get some edges at this point. Let the balls hit the tip of the racket every now and then. Remember that you are trying to check every part of the bat.

It is generally recommended to have at least two net sessions as part of the play-in process. In the first session, try to keep things simple and avoid flashing. In the second step, gradually begin to become more aggressive and play full-fledged shots.

However, continue to play with a straight racquet and delay the cross hits until the end of the second net session when you are confident that the straight hits are going well.

If all goes well, you can consider the knock-in process complete. You now have a racquet ready to go center and play against those fast new ball deliveries. As mentioned above, continue to monitor the racquet for dryness or seam marks and use oils and targeted tapping as needed.

How long should you batter a cricket bat?

A general consensus is that about 6 hours of targeted tapping is enough for the racquet to be ready for normal catching practice and break-in.

However, these 6 hours were rarely in a row. As already mentioned, oiling is intermittent during the knocking process. Oil takes time to be absorbed and dry the surface for further tapping.

So the actual knock-in can take about 6 hours, the complete knock-in process is a multi-day event.

Is it possible to hit the cricket bat too hard?

It is theoretically possible to hit the racquet too hard. However, that would require a lot of effort. As it stands, the knock-in process requires a lot of dedication and patience before using the new willow in the live match. Not many would have the patience to overdo it.

However, if an entrained soul bangs bat on bat for longer, then theoretically it would be called a bat hit too much.

The purpose of tapping is to maintain moisture in the racquet but compact the surface enough to handle the impact. A properly struck racquet does not lose the natural ‘spring’ in the racquet, but a racquet that is struck excessively risks losing that natural spring that is essential to hitting.

How do you know if your cricket bat is batted and ready to use?

There are several ways to ensure that the club is fully impacted or not.

1. Seam Marks

The first would be to subject it to a light impact from good quality cricket balls. Increase the speed of the ball as you keep going. When the seam of the ball does not dent the racquet surface, the racquet is ready for actual play.

2. Racket weight is reduced after knock-in

Another simple but not complete method is to compare club weight before and after impact. A well battered racquet would feel lighter compared to a new racquet because of all the compression that comes from impact.

3. Sound of the cricket bat

Here’s another clue to a well-beaten racquet. A properly struck racquet would produce a confident, light tone when it hits the leather ball, especially in the sweet spot.

Whereas a brand new non-impact racquet would make a flat noise when presented against the leather ball.

Be careful when starting with the recently hammered club so that if a problem is found the club is in good condition to fix the problem.

What are anti-abrasion films and fiberglass edge tape?

Some bats come with anti-abrasion blades attached to the face of the bat.

However, it is advisable to only place the anti-chafing film on the surface of the racquet after it has been struck.

The benefit is that the scuff guards would adhere better to the racquet after the oiling and tapping process is fully completed. Of course, fitting the scuff guard is optional but highly recommended as it would help extend the life of the racquet.

Additionally, you can also use the fiberglass edge tape to protect the edges and tip. The tip and edges of the racquet are also at risk of breaking after impact. The fiberglass tape would help protect against that as much as possible.

Fiberglass edge tape. (photo credit)

If you have decided to apply any of these, make sure you apply it after the oil on the racquet face, rim and cable has completely dried.

What are pre-knocked cricket bats?

Pre-knocked bats are the ones that are prepared with the oiling and patting process at the factories themselves. Racquet manufacturers are aware that once the racquet has been manufactured, it must be battered in order to be ready to play.

However, it is a costly process for manufacturers that increases the cost of the racquet. Therefore, in order to keep the racquets affordable, manufacturers generally sell them without oiling and patting.

Pre-rapped or not, it’s still a good idea to do a little oiling and rapping yourself after purchasing a new cricket bat.

Precautions when oiling and batting a cricket bat

Here is a short list of precautions to take when oiling and tapping the racquet.

Never over oil your racquet and avoid oiling the racquet grip and splice as this will adversely affect the adhesives.

A common mistake is to stand the racquet upright in the oil. That too would be too much oil for the bat.

The clubs must be held horizontally for a long time after oiling. The goal is to consistently draw the oil into the racquet while holding it vertically to collect the oil at the toe end of the racquet.

This cannot be stressed enough that the edges need to ricochet on impact and not hit square. The purpose is to make the bat around the edges.

Use quality balls when pointing out throwdowns or during the break-in phase.

Finally, never strike the back of the racquet, the splice, and the racquet decal area.

Final Thoughts

Bats are a very popular subject for many batsmen. You must have observed certain batsmen frantically checking their bat when they hit a bad shot, or making a strange noise when the leather ball hits the bat. Imagine their distress when they realize that the damage to their racquet could have been avoided with a few days of oiling and patting.

This article is for all players who want to extend the life of their racquet while improving their own performance. Also, good cricket bats are expensive. It would be a shame to lose all that money because you didn’t follow a few simple oiling and patting procedures.

I hope this article proves useful next time you buy a racquet and do the hitting.

terms of payment

All payments are required in advance for custom made bats and for online purchases.

guarantees

Receipts must be presented for all warranty claims.

All cricket bats will wear out with use, that’s entirely natural, and with collision speeds in excess of 100mph it’s easy to see why. The normal wear and tear that can be expected from a cricket bat face is surface cracking on the face and edges, and discoloration of the face, and these instances will not affect the performance of the bat. On the other hand, damage can result from misuse, mistimed shots, improper storage and maintenance, failure to use additional technique and use against inferior cricket balls, and use in wet conditions. If damage occurs to the racquet, it should be referred for repair immediately.

Warranty conditions for indoor cricket bats

SCC is proud to offer lightweight indoor cricket bats specialized in cottonwood. Your racquet is rolled, pressed and ready to play. Your racquet will be indented by the stitching on the ball. Over time, these marks will flatten out. SCC offers a 6 month warranty on the blade and handle (not the tip) under normal use. However, we work with each customer to ensure customer satisfaction and concerns are addressed and captured where appropriate.

warranty conditions

This is a dedicated indoor cricket bat and is not guaranteed for outdoor cricket use of any kind.

Damage to bats is normal and repairs can be made, whether under warranty or not. Repair work will be charged to the customer on a case-by-case basis for damage caused by –

Bowling machines – the balls used in these machines can damage clubs and break handles even at moderate speeds due to the hardness of the ball. Yorker is damaged and/or forcibly clamped onto a ball, resulting in toe damage and grip cracking. Mistimed Shots – Leading edges, etc. can cause damage. Referring to Australian consumer law, this is ‘abnormal use’. The guarantee of acceptable quality does not apply if the consumer uses the goods in an abnormal way. Goods are not expected to be indestructible. Water damage – when the tip of the club swells. Multiplayer use – if many players use a racquet, it can be used 3-4 seasons in one and age and deal more damage than usual. Grip deterioration Extratec deterioration

Warranty conditions for outdoor cricket bats

SCC is proud to supply English Willow Cricket Bats. Your racquet will be batted and rolled. I suggest that further hitting with old leather balls ie short catches or discards in the nets are required. Remember, the longer you let your new racquet mature before playing, the longer it will last.

SCC offers a 1 year warranty on the handle under normal use. However, we work with each customer to ensure customer satisfaction and concerns are addressed and captured where appropriate.

warranty conditions

Damage to bats is normal and repairs can be made, whether under warranty or not. Repair work will be billed to the customer on a case-by-case basis for damage caused by –

Bowling machines – the balls used in these machines can damage clubs and break handles even at moderate speeds due to the hardness of the ball. There is no specific time a cricket bat lasts. The racquet degrades with use and against bowling balls. Yorker is damaged and/or forcibly clamped onto a ball, resulting in toe damage and grip cracking. Mistimed Shots – Leading edges, etc. can cause damage. Referring to Australian consumer law, this is ‘abnormal use’. The guarantee of acceptable quality does not apply if the consumer uses the goods in an abnormal way. Indestructible goods are not expected Water damage – where the bat’s toe swells. Multiplayer Use – If many players are using a racquet, it can be used 3-4 seasons in one and age and deal more damage than usual. Deterioration of grip. Extratec degradation.

Warranty conditions for pads/gloves

Wear marks and general wear and tear are not guaranteed, regardless of the age of the equipment, after the product has left the store. The equipment can be repaired by the manufacturer if repairs are recommended. Replacement will only be offered if determined by SCC and the manufacturer when not at fault by the customer.

Kookaburra

Kookaburra clubs marked as Pre-Prepared are pre-beaten, oiled and fitted with a toe guard. This is not a full tapping service, but will reduce preparation time.

GM cricket bat preparation

GM English Willow Cricket Bats are “battered” in the GM factory to complement blade pressing

GM English Willow Cricket Bats are lightly oiled and finished with a GM NOW! Anti-chafing cover

GM English Willow cricket bats feature TOETEK

Genetically modified English willow cricket bats are treated with DRI-GUARD

Additional “hitting” with a suitable club hammer on the vulnerable leading edges is required before using a new ball.

After prolonged use, exposed willow needs to be lightly oiled when the willow becomes dry.

WHY GM OFFERS ONLY FACTORY PREPARED BATS?

There is an undeniable correlation between the preparation of our GM factory and cricket bat return rates due to blade damage. Durability increases and gaming performance is unaffected by the anti-scuff case. It adds about 1 ounce of weight so don’t be fooled into comparing a Natural Finish racquet to a GM NOW! Bat.

GM NOW!

Our anti-chafing cover creates a barrier against moisture combined with raw linseed oil to prevent moisture penetration. It also helps hold the blade together should minor cracks occur naturally from use.

The GM NOW! The cover should not be removed until it shows significant wear and should only be removed by a bat specialist.

GM NOW! Racquets are very lightly oiled and pre-tapped by hand by GM’s racquet makers in our manufactory.

TOETEK™

A specially shaped, elastic shield attached to the toe of the racquet that reduces toe damage and feathering commonly caused by tapping the crease. It also acts as another barrier against moisture.

DRIGUARDTM

Genetically engineered bats are treated with GM Driguard™ applied to the bat’s toe to reduce water absorption.

This helps prevent toe swelling, making the toe less susceptible to moisture-related damage. DriGuard™ repels oil and moisture and any oil applied to this area should simply be wiped off.

CALL WAITING VS INPUT

CALL WAITING

The process of continuously hitting the clubface and leading edge surfaces of the bat with an old cricket ball or a specially designed GM bat that increases durability, particularly on the leading edges of the blade, which are more prone to damage. This part of the process is started at our factory by our GM Clubmakers, who hammer in the face and front of the edges with a Lignum Vitae club hammer.

PLAY IN

The break-in is for clubs with GM Now! By hitting short catches first and/or facing throwdowns with a good quality old cricket ball. It is advisable to avoid a new ball in the nets or play at first as it can cause serious scoring and damage to the blade.

“HOW LONG WILL MY RACKET LAST?”

A GM bat is light enough for the average cricketer to play with and make proper cricket batting.

GM racquets are designed with plenty of wood in the hitting area to add resilience to the shot and strong enough to withstand the shock caused by the impact of the ball. When an awkward ball is caught on the edge or wedged between the tip of the racquet and the ground, damage is almost inevitable. It doesn’t matter whether the racket is new or older.

We could ensure that those vulnerable areas didn’t take as much damage by just making them a lot thicker, but then of course the bat would be so heavy it would be unplayable and the cricketer probably wouldn’t buy it. Cricket bats are always a compromise between performance and durability, and GM’s long history of bat-making gives them the best chance of achieving both.

REPAIRS AND SERVICE

Superficial surface and edge markings and slight surface cracking will occur with normal use. This is to be expected and does not detract from the playing performance of the racquet.

Other damage such as B. splitting the toe as a result of a Yorker hit, or from water ingress, or hitting the crease severely, or damage from a miss, which happens to even the best player, if you look at it in a timely fashion, most of the time it can be repaired and the racket repaired will continue to provide excellent service.

Cricket specialists offer a bat refurbishment service for your GM bat to help extend the life of your bat.

behaviour rules

Prepare the racquet carefully and watch out for ball marks.

During the off-season, store the racquet in a cool, dry atmosphere away from excessive heat or humidity.

Check the racquet regularly for playing damage and repair it promptly, the longer it is not repaired, the shorter the life of the racquet.

Lightly re-oil the racquet if it shows signs of drying out.

DO NOT expose to extreme temperatures

AVOID prolonged stays in trunk/trunk/interior

DO NOT over oil. Over-oiling is more dangerous than under-oiling. Excessive oiling increases weight, affects drivetrain performance, and can cause rot.

Never, never put the bat in oil.

DO NOT let the racket get wet. Moisture absorbed by tapping a damp wicket makes the racquet susceptible to toe damage.

DO NOT abuse or treat negligently off the field of play, e.g. B. on nets or in changing rooms.

DO NOT use cheap hard cricket balls. These will damage the bat, only high quality cricket balls.

DO NOT continue playing with a damaged racquet. This worsens the damage to a point where the bat is beyond repair.

DO NOT remove the GM NOW! Anti-abrasion covering as this can damage the blade if not done by a racquet specialist.

DO NOT hit your racquet with a machine, this is harmful to your GM racquet and will not help it perform at its best.

You may also be interested in: How to choose a cricket bat? | GM English Willow Bat Grading

Preparation and care of cricket bats

Understand your bat

A cricket bat is made from either English willow (Salix ceraelea), cashmere willow, or alternative willow, which in their natural state are soft, fibrous reeds. As such, it must be prepared before it can be used to bat a cricket ball.

All racquets are pressed during production, this pressing gives a degree of conditioning and also improves the ‘drive’ (or power) of the racquet. Kookaburra cricket bats are individually pressed, which means our bat maker will assess each gap and determine how much pressure to use to optimize drive and durability for that particular piece of wicker.

The “tapping in” is an additional requirement and a very important part of club preparation (minimum 6 hours recommended) during which the new club is repeatedly hit with either a mallet or an old ball to increase durability and promote “drive”.

Care for your racquet throughout its life by storing it in a racquet case and safely in your cricket bag when not in use.

During the lifespan of a cricket, all bats crack when a natural piece of wood is repeatedly struck by a fast-moving object. It may be worth considering using either fiberglass tape on the edges of the bat or an “Armor Tec” cover, which is a high quality anti-chafing film with cricket fiberglass tape on both sides, around the face and edges of a cricket bat to protect.

Bat Preparation

Cricket bats are made from natural willow and as with all natural materials the condition of the bat can be expected to deteriorate over time with use.

Regardless of a bat’s brand or finish, superficial facial and edge markings will almost certainly appear along with indentations or bruises of the natural pasture. This happens especially when “polytype” coverings have been used, when the covering (an artificial material) does not react in the same way as willow (a natural fibre). In these circumstances, there is no need to worry or worry as the racquet’s durability and performance will not be compromised.

Almost all racquets returned to us by affected players are not the result of defects in materials or workmanship, but are part of the natural wear and tear process of natural pasture.

If in doubt, please contact us before returning your new racquet. It could save you unnecessary postage, inconvenience and time.

The term ‘knock-in’ is something you might be familiar with if you’ve been in the cricket scene for a while, but what does it actually mean? Most cricket bats are made from a soft, fibrous wood such as willow, which has the perfect qualities to perform well in a cricket environment, but first it needs to be treated properly with the batting process to give it the best start in life.

Hitting a bat compresses and entangles the willow fibers together, making them stronger and able to withstand the hard impact of a cricket ball at play. Batting a cricket bat is essential to improve performance and prolong its life.

How to hit a cricket bat

The first step in batting your new cricket bat is to purchase a bat specifically designed for the task. If a hammer isn’t available when you need to hammer in your bat, a used cricket ball in a sock will work, but it’s not as easy to use or gives as a consistent finish.

You should start by hitting the face of the cricket bat (the front flat part) lightly and increase the intensity of the hits to get harder over time. To assess when the face of the cricket bat is ready, make sure the bat no longer leaves a mark when you hit it.

When you’re done smashing in the bat’s face, you can move on to the next step, which focuses on the sides of the cricket bat.

To hit the edges of the cricket bat efficiently, try hitting the bat in a way that mimics the hits it would receive during an inning. Strike the edges of the cricket bat by positioning the bat at a 45 degree angle. This makes the edges of the cricket bat compact and rounded.

Make sure you DO NOT hit the edges of the cricket bat directly or the tip of the cricket bat directly. Also, do not hit the splice of the bat or the back of the cricket bat; Try to limit the impact to where the cricket ball would actually hit the bat in a game scenario.

When someone buys a new cricket bat, there is a desire to get on the field and use it as soon as possible. However, it is important to understand that hitting a racquet ensures that the racquet is fully primed before touching the ball to avoid damage.

Your racquet may need to be smashed in and if this is the case, please read on.

Why do you need cricket bats smashed in?

When a new cricket mallet is delivered, the wood is practically in its soft, natural state. Tucking in a bat simply helps compress and knit together the fibers of the willow. The result is a much tougher piece of wood that is much more durable and resistant to damage during use.

Some racquets come “prepared” but still need to be batted in before being used on the nets or in a game situation. Others have no preparation at all and therefore require the full “knock-in” process. Your retailer page should make it clear if there has been any preparation, so if in doubt please contact customer service.

Cricket bats are traditionally made from willow wood, which is soft and fibrous. It offers the perfect weight and balance for in-game use, but its soft nature means it can be susceptible to damage if not handled properly. In this article, I’ll show you how you can make sure your new racquet is ready to play.

oils and care

Oiling is the first step in preparing cricket bats. This keeps moisture in the fibers and helps prevent splitting and tearing. Traditionally, raw linseed oil is used for oiling.

It’s important not to apply too much oil, so a first light coat should be applied with a cloth to the face, edges and toes (Note: If you’re new to the specific parts of the cricket bat, be sure to read first through our guide). Avoid the splice and all stickers. Leave to dry in a horizontal position for 24 hours and then wipe off any oil that has not been absorbed. Gently rub the racquet at this point with very light sandpaper before applying another fine coat of oil.

Note: If you wish to apply new decals to your racquet, do so after the tapping process!

Storage is also important in these early stages and avoiding humid conditions is imperative.

How do I break in my cricket bat?

With oil applied, it’s time to pat your racquet in. A bat hammer is a useful tool in this regard, but using an old cricket ball is also perfectly fine. The club should then be hit with the mallet or an old ball, lightly at first before gradually increasing the power.

It’s important to cover all areas where the racquet is likely to make contact with the ball, so start with the face of the racquet. Start with a light tap, then gradually increase the force. Hit the racquet hard but not too aggressively.

Proceed to the edges of the club but do not use excessive force here as the wood can be most brittle here. Finally, continue with the toe of the bat and repeat the process. Don’t hit the back of the racket.

How do I know when my club hit?

After this opening phase, the user can easily hit short balls in the face either in the nets or in the outside area. If there are seam marks, they should repeat the above steps.

If the racquet has no markings, the racquet should be sufficiently impacted.

How long should you batter a cricket bat?

The tapping process should take about six hours. This doesn’t have to be done in one sitting, but the quicker the better to prepare for game situations.

Can you bang a cricket bat too much?

It’s difficult to hit a racquet too hard, but it’s not theoretically impossible. Excessive hitting with a hammer or leather ball could cause the fibers to compress too much and they could lose their natural spring.

However, it would take many hours to reach this point.

Play in your racket

Beating is the first step in this process, but a new racquet is not quite finished. The next phase is called play-in and this is where the racquet reflects a game scenario. It’s perfectly fine to hit the nets and face regular bowlers, but a softer cricket ball should be used. One of the many training balls used by cricketers is perfect for this scenario.

The hitter should avoid serious tempo at this point, but seam bowlers and spin bowlers are perfect for the task. Play defensively first and note if the seam left marks on the racquet surface.

In the case of seam marks, it is necessary to go back to the beginning and start the tucking process from the beginning. If there are no markers, the hitter can start playing more expansive and offensive play. If no seam marks are visible on the racquet after several minutes of deliveries, the racquet should now be ready for use. It is now acceptable to put it in your pocket and take it to the game.

in summary

Bats are vital pieces of gear and can be the most expensive item in a player’s bag. Because of this, they must be treated with great care and the tapping process is simply vital.

Inadequate preparation can cause irreparable damage to the racquet, so it is imperative that the procedure is followed to ensure this vital piece of equipment is in optimal condition when it enters the field of play.

preparation

Oiling is essential for cricket bats. It prevents the pasture from drying out and significantly reduces the risk of cracking. When first purchased, natural faced bats should be lightly sanded with 150 grit sandpaper to remove polish and then lightly oiled with a soft rag or finger with cricket bat oil or linseed oil all over the face and toe (no oil on the splice as this can weaken the adhesive). Alternatively, you have the option of attaching an Extratec cover, which helps protect the racquet during the first phase of impact and beyond. The Extratec cover provides extra protection to protect against general wear and tear. After one season, Extratec should be removed (slowly across the grain) and lightly sanded and oiled. As soon as the racket has dried sufficiently (usually 2-3 weeks), a new Extratec cover can be put on again.

If you bought a covered racquet or one with anti-chafing film, less oiling is required as these racquets have the ability to retain moisture.

If you’re not sure how much oil to apply, simply ask one of our experienced staff or bring your racquet to one of our shops for professional help.

knock in

Each cricket bat must be knocked-in. Some cricket bats claim to be “prepared” at the factory, but that doesn’t mean the bat is ready to use. A prepared racquet has been oiled, pressed and lightly hand battered, but will need to be battered for at least 2 hours before it can be used. Bats that are not prepared will take even longer (about 5 to 6 hours).

The more thorough the impaction process, the less likely your racquet will break.

Bats purchased from Meulemans are pre-tapped by hand with a kangaroo bone, emphasizing the toes and edges. This reduces the time it takes to hit your club.

What is smashing a cricket bat?

When you bat a cricket bat, you compress and entangle the fibers of the willow. This gives the bat the strength it needs to withstand the impact of a cricket ball. Hitting is best done with a cricket bat.

How your racquet is hit has a direct impact on its performance. Therefore, bouncing an old ball up and down the face is not the best option.

How do I hit my cricket bat?

The first thing you need to smash your cricket bat is patience. The second item you will need is a cricket bat bat. You should start by tapping the blade of the club (avoid the handle, back and splice). You must keep tapping, gradually increasing the power in all areas of the face where you would normally expect to hit the ball.

You should not hammer the edges at right angles. If done correctly, you should find the edges becoming more rounded and compact the more you fold them in. The “ping” will also improve. At Meulemans we recommend you spend 3 or 4 weeks hammering in your racquet.

When you are satisfied that you have completed the impaction process, head to the nets and start practicing with your racquet using good quality old balls. Face a few balls at a time and then check your racquet. If the face shows seams or deep indentations, your racquet is not ready for match play and you need to spend more time hitting the ball.

When you’ve finally completed the impaction process and there are no seams or indentations on the face, your racquet is ready to play.

Ongoing cricket bat maintenance

Cricket bats have different lifespans. To get the most out of your cricket bat, it should be properly batted and oiled regularly.

If you have a covered racquet, the cover should be removed and oiled once a year during the off-season. Removal of the cover should be done slowly and across the grain, then sanded with light sandpaper. If your racquet has a natural face, it should be oiled every month to maintain a high level of performance.

Small cracks on the face of a cricket bat are considered natural wear and tear. With a little care, they shouldn’t become major problems. Small cracks can be sanded with fine sandpaper. You should sand with the grain, not against it, and then apply a protective coating or fiberglass tape over the crack.

Forbidden:-

Do not – expose to extreme temperatures

Avoid – Prolonged stays in trunk/trunk/interior

Not – too much oil. Over-oiling is more dangerous than under-oiling. Excessive oiling increases weight, affects drivetrain performance, and can cause rot.

Never put the bat in oil.

Do not let the racket get wet.

Do not – abuse or carelessly treat off the field, for example at nets or in dressing rooms.

Don’t – use cheap hard balls. These damage the bat.

Don’t – continue playing with a damaged racquet; This worsens the damage to a point where the bat is beyond repair.

DOS:-

Do it – prepare the racquet carefully

During the off-season, store the racquet in a cool, dry atmosphere away from excessive heat or humidity.

Re-oil the racquet after a long period of non-use: It is particularly important to remember to do this prior to pre-season use on indoor nets.

Do it – regularly check for damage in the game and make club repairs promptly.