Bat Knocking In Service? Quick Answer

A comprehensive guide to cricket bats and knocking in

Please note 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 English willow, Salix Caerulea or Alba Var, which is naturally a soft, fibrous wood that possesses the perfect qualities, namely balance, strength and durability, to perform in a cricket environment. The qualities of English willow are improved during production by drying and pressing the wood.

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, improperly timed shots, improper storage, lack of maintenance, use against underperforming cricket balls, and use in wet conditions. If damage occurs to the bat, it should be referred immediately for assessment.

To ensure you get the most out of your new cricket bat, it is important that it is properly prepared (battered) and cared for. After the racquet has been hit, it is imperative that you take care of your racquet as follows:

Store at a moderate constant temperature.

Try to avoid wet conditions.

Try to avoid using it against cheap, inferior balls.

Try not to ride Yorkers.

Do not over oil the racquet.

Try to avoid excessive mistimed shots.

We strongly recommend that bats are booked for work at the end of the season. This can include all levels of repair, oiling, re-gripping, toe guard application, anti-chafing film application and has been proven to help extend the life of your racquet.

Choosing the right cricket bat for you will help further increase your love for this great game. We strongly recommend that you contact us before purchasing any racquet to discuss your exact requirements and to guide our expert advice to a successful purchase.

Willow Rating

This information has been compiled to give you some insight into cricket bat pasture grading and why some bats cost more than others. All racquets have different characteristics from balance and pick up to width of the grain. As a rule of thumb, the softer wicker (with narrower grain) has excellent performance characteristics but a shorter lifespan, while the harder wicker (with wider grain) tends to last longer but will take time before you achieve optimal performance. All racquets are performance rated and made from a natural material so grain may vary.

Very Best Grade 1+ Willow – This is the best willow money can buy. The blade is unbleached and typically has 8-12 flawless, straight grains for the most part. The price of one of these clubs would be over £350 for a full size blade and over £150 for a junior blade.

Grade 1 Willow – High quality unbleached English willow. As above, but with a slightly wider grain and a slight red edge in places. The price of one of these clubs would range from £250 to £300 for a full size blade and £120 to £150 for a junior blade.

Grade 2 Willow – Unbleached English Willow with some minor blemishes, red wood on the edge and a slightly uneven grain. The price of one of these clubs would range from £200 to £250 for a full size blade and £100 to £120 for a junior blade.

Grade 3 Willow – Some of these bats are English willow bleached to hide more irregular grain and blemishes. The price of one of these racquets would range from £150 to £200 for a full size reed and £75 to £100 for a junior reed.

Class 4 Willow – This is bleached English willow, often covered with a protective coating and sold as “unoiled”. The price of one of these clubs ranges from £100-150 for a full size blade and £50-75 for a junior blade.

Cashmere Willow – Found in cricket sets and junior bats under £45. Cashmere willow is naturally harder and drier than English willow, so it doesn’t perform as well and doesn’t last as long. This racquet is ideal as a starter racquet for use against a softer safety ball (Incrediballs, Wonderballs, Windballs etc.)

Knocking In (free for select Talent Cricket bats)

Cracking your cricket bat is an essential part of its preparation. Even if you bought a “pre-knock-in” racquet, another knock is always required. Below is a step-by-step guide on tapping.

Apply raw flaxseed oil evenly to the bat’s face, edges and back, 2 to 3 teaspoons of oil is the right amount. When oiling, be careful not to oil the splice (where the handle fits into the blade), the handle or marked areas, and also be careful not to over-oil the club as this will kill the fibers of the wood and would affect performance. Allow the racquet to dry horizontally and face up for 24 hours. If you plan to use the racquet in its natural state without the chafing backing, repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times. If you are planning to have a protective anti-chafing film applied, an initial coat of oil will suffice. Wipe off excess oil and pound your racquet in with a special racquet hammer for about 4 hours. The edges and tip of the blade require special attention with grazing hits from the face to harden and round these areas. Special care should be taken not to hit the edges, toe or spine of the racquet directly as this will result in damage. Impact should be done with gradually increasing force, but never too hard to cause damage. Fiber tape is applied to the edges of the racquet and an anti-chafing protective sheet is placed over it if required. We strongly recommend this procedure. Test the blade with a good old ball during a light net session or throw downs. If seams and indentations appear, further hammering is required. Get out there and enjoy your new racket!

* KNOCKING ON SERVICE IS FREE FOR SELECTED TALENT CRICKET bats!

bat weights

You will find on our website that all of our cricket bats (with the exception of junior bats) are listed as light, medium and heavy. At Talent Cricket, we attach more importance to balance and take up the characteristics of a bat more than the “dead weight” of the cricket bat. As a guide, a light bat weighs between 2lb 6oz and 2lb 9oz, a medium bat weighs 2lb 9oz to 2lb 11oz, and a heavy bat weighs between 2lb 11oz and 3lb. If a specific tare weight is required please enter this in the “Additional Notes” section at the end of the online order form or contact us to discuss your exact requirements.

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.

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

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.

Use a hardwood mallet with a rounded face. Hold the racquet in one hand and hit one edge of the racquet with your dominant hand with enough force to make an impression.

Keep hitting the edge of the club with the same force. Make sure the edge is level so there are no areas higher or lower.

3

Repeat the process on the other long side of your racquet. Make sure the angle of each edge of the club is the same. Hold the club so that the short end of the clubface or the toe is at eye level. Check both edges of the club to make sure they are even and rounded.

[text_output]Many hours of work went into the making of your cricket bat, and with a few simple procedures and a little time and patience, your bat can be even better. Just follow the guidelines below.

Oil

1) A new natural face racquet should have at least two light coats of oil on the face, edges, toes and back. This should be applied with either a soft cloth or your finger. Care should be taken not to get oil on the splice or the handle. When oiling a racquet there should never be a puddle of oil on the surface of the racquet, always wipe off excess oil immediately. The tapping process should begin after the second application of oil. Only raw linseed oil or special wax should be used.

2) If an anti-chafing coating or Extratec is not used, the face and edges of the racquet should be rubbed down with a small amount of fine sandpaper and treated with a light oil as above every 3 to 4 weeks during the playing season.

3) No bat should stand in oil; Best results are achieved with multiple applications of light oils than one application of a lot of oil.

4) There is a far greater danger from over-oiling a racquet than under-oiling. Excessive oiling increases the weight of the racquet, which can damage the pickup, affect drive performance and also cause “wood rot”.

knock in

A new club, no matter what type, should be hit carefully and with patience. This is best done with a club hammer and repeatedly striking the blade in all areas where contact with the ball is expected, paying particular attention to the leading edges. The tapping should start off lightly and build into a harder thump as you near the end. Playing a few gentle throw downs in the nets or in the backyard isn’t enough. Take your time and your racquet will perform better and take less damage.

Your cricket bat is ready for a brand new bat after being oiled and hammered in for around 6 hours. A shorter time of at least 1 to 2 hours is recommended for pre-prepared bats.

You can tell when your racquet is fully impacted and ready to play if there are no visible markings from the use of a leather ball, e.g. seams.

Recommended accessories

Important products to help extend the life of your bats:

Crude Linseed Oil – Available for just £7.50

Abrasion Resistant Fairing – Available from just £7.50

Bat Mallet – Available for just £15

Abrasion resistant lining

A clear, self-adhesive covering that offers the best possible protection against surface cracks and dents. We recommend using a fairing for your racquet as this can greatly increase its lifespan. It helps protect the edges of the blade as well as the face by making it a sealed unit, eliminating the need for mid-season grinding and oiling, apart from a light oil on the tip and spine.

toe protection

Toe guards can help protect the toe of the racquet from deflection during use and prevent moisture from being absorbed into the toe area. However, some players prefer the natural “feel” so many of our racquets lack toe protection. We can request one for £10. If in doubt, please ask.

General information

1) Moisture (e.g. water) should not get into your racquet, especially at the base/toe of the blade as this can cause swelling and cracking of the willow.

2) Extreme heat should be avoided, e.g. Trunk/interiors or utility rooms. Dehydration leads to cracks and cracks. Store at moderate temperature to preserve pasture condition.

3) Be sure to look after and maintain your racquet throughout its life by reading and implementing the advice in this guide. If you are unsure about any aspect of the care of your racquet, please feel free to contact Phantom Cricket.

English pasture

English willow is naturally a soft pulpwood. With normal use, willow will simply bruise, scar or dent due to the nature of game. Such a mark can be made at any time during the life of the racquet, but will not affect its performance. English willow is the wood of choice for all cricket bats.

surface cracks

Willow is a natural material and as a racquet becomes more widely used it is normal for the blade or face to get slight marks. Surface cracking can occur to varying degrees depending on the type of willow, its maturity, and the game standard it is used for. Superficial markings on the edges are also to be expected as your racquet will never remain spotless when you are scoring runs, after all that is its job! None of these blemishes affect game quality and should not be viewed as faults of the willow. Should severe indentation occur, please contact us as soon as possible for further advice.

repair

In the rare event that you need your bat repaired, Phantom Cricket can provide this service. We are able to offer a range of repairs from new grips to crack repairs. Please contact us for a review and price.

warranty

Phantom Cricket has a strict policy of verifying all warranty claims. Complaints will be checked for normal wear and tear. Proof of purchase is required to make a warranty claim. Damage not covered under warranty: – Toe moisture or swelling – Edge or toe tears from improper play – Heat damage, dried out pasture – Over oiling – Inadequate preparation or under-punching. For more information, see the Warranty section of our website Information and how to make a claim.[/text_output]

You’ve bought a new cricket bat – great news! Now you need to make sure it’s ready to play so you can start scoring races as soon as possible.

Most racquets come with an anti-chafing film that helps maintain moisture levels in the blade and provides some resistance to surface wear accumulation during play. We recommend oiling the blade if you decide to change blades (e.g. between seasons) – two light coats if leaving natural, or one light coat if you attach a different blade.

1 layer of oil is about half a teaspoon and is rubbed onto the face and edges of the blade with a cloth. After applying between coats or installing a new chafe guard, leave open for 24-48 hours, wipe away excess surface oil with a cloth before applying a chafe guard or using the racquet.

When removing a chafing protector, if possible, heat it with a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive, then pull gently and evenly across the face to minimize lifting of willow fibers. Never remove the sheet by pulling up on the blade. It may also be worth sanding the blade lightly before oiling or installing new blades.

You can lightly oil the exposed willow on the back of the blade, which also helps maintain the blade’s moisture level. However, please note that it should be applied carefully as contact with the labels may cause them to lift as oil can damage the label adhesive.

Before playing in the game, we also recommend breaking the blade in a bit and testing the blade against an old used ball with some discards in a light netting session. If the clubface stains/dents too easily, continue hitting.

Please use this link for more information and videos on bat care.

https://www.gray-nicolls.co.uk/pages/care-repair

We also offer a full range of bat preparation, repair, customization and refurbishment services available here: https://repairs.gray-nicolls.co.uk/eng/bat-repair

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.

Matthew Hayden Credit: IPL

Main Characteristics Mongoose bat is a short-leafed, long-handled bat. Matthew Hayden (Chennai Super Kings) used a Mongoose racquet against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in Indian Premier League 2010. The racquet was capable of hitting a T20 format ball but was disadvantaged on defensive shots.

If you’re a religious follower of cricket then you’ve probably come across a recent video of Matthew Hayden (ex-CSK player) indulging in friendly banter and discussing the whole Mongoose bat problem in the 2010 IPL season. In this video, Matthew Hayden talks about how he caused a stir with his decision to use a mongoose bat instead of a full-sized cricket bat.

#Thala Dhoni to Haydos: “I’ll give you all you want in life not to use this racket! Please don’t use that racket!” @HaydosTweets #AnbuDenLions @RuphaRamani pic.twitter.com/Hm5wSCzLWH – Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 8, 2020

So what exactly was the problem with using a mongoose bat and why was it so controversial? Well, for starters, Hayden decided to use this racquet as he felt it could revolutionize batting. He used this racquet against the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and according to him the racquet helped him improve his game contrary to the popular opinion which opposed its use.

And let’s be honest; He was able to show his stance on using the Mongoose bat in that very game. He successfully hit 93 runs from 43 balls and that inning was truly a notable highlight of his career.

You must be wondering why, if the racquet is so effective to use, why isn’t it used frequently? First, the mongoose bat is not a layman’s job to crack; it requires practice and expertise. The bat has a long handle and a short blade. What raised eyebrows during this IPL season was that Hayden, a big, burly dude, not only handled this long-handled, short-bladed racquet, but was an ace innings.

Important facts about mongoose bat

The mongoose bat has three times more wood on the ground than the traditional bat; This allows the batsman to hit the yorkers and also the low throws with full force and power. The racquet has a 33% shorter face and a 43% longer grip than the traditional racquet. Mongoose bat is lighter than the regular bat The structure of the mongoose bat improves the sweet spot by 120%. A common misconception surrounding mongoose bats is that they have been banned by the BCCI and the IPL Board. which was not the case. These governing bodies have reviewed the bat-related complaints, but they still have not banned them.

Where did Mongoose Bat go?

Despite having so many advantages on the field, enthusiasm for the bat waned. And all of this happened when batsmen like Suresh Raina reviewed the racquet and felt that the racquet was not suitable in the case of defensive hits. The improved sweet spot proved to be a disadvantage for the batsmen as they were unable to make defensive shots. resulting in slippage or front catches.

Other batsmen also confirmed that the bat doesn’t backpack in the event of an uneven impact. So you can either hit the ball or injure yourself because that racquet was non-defensive in nature. So all in all there was no rule against the use of bats, but despite this batsmen resorted to using conventional bats over the mongoose bat as they presented lower risks.

When you buy a new cricket bat you need to make sure it is fully prepared before using it in a game. For a cricketer, learning How To Knock In A Cricket Bat is a valuable skill to learn. Cricket bats cost between £80 and £600+ so it’s worth investing time to ensure they’re in top condition. The purpose of batting a cricket bat is to compress the fibers within the sheet to create a firm but compliant surface.

To bash a cricket bat, you must use a bat hammer. These are specifically designed to hit a cricket bat as they are made of wood and have a round head that is similar in size to a cricket ball. If you don’t have a bat, you can use an old cricket ball in a sports sock. With the sock and ball method, it is important to use an old ball. Because a new ball could leave serious marks on the racket. Whatever you use, allow up to 8 hours of tapping to get the most out of your cricket bat and prepare your racquet game. Manufacturers suggest 8 hours, but if pre-pressed, at least 3 to 4 hours should suffice.

Does a pre-pressed cricket bat need to be hammered in?

A pre-pressed cricket bat has gone through a process that compresses the surface of the sheet. At the factory, a racquet is fed through a hydraulic roller that exerts up to 2 tons of pressure. This compresses the bat’s face and speeds up the process of getting the bat game ready. The bat thickness can be reduced by up to 5 mm at the factory. However, this should only be the beginning of the preparation. Once the bat is in your hands, you should start tapping the cricket bat manually. This process will give you a bigger sweet spot and middle if done right.

To begin batting your cricket bat, you should tap the bat with the bat hammer. Alternatively, use an old cricket ball in a sock. Tap along the face of the cricket bat about 25mm from the tip of the bat. Do not hit the toe as this can accelerate the tear in the bottom of the racquet. Also avoid tapping around the handle/splice as this can weaken that area as well. Also, focus on the edges as this is a key area and is often used during a cricket match.

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Related

Use a hardwood mallet with a rounded face. Hold the racquet in one hand and hit one edge of the racquet with your dominant hand with enough force to make an impression.

Keep hitting the edge of the club with the same force. Make sure the edge is level so there are no areas higher or lower.

3

Repeat the process on the other long side of your racquet. Make sure the angle of each edge of the club is the same. Hold the club so that the short end of the clubface or the toe is at eye level. Check both edges of the club to make sure they are even and rounded.

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.

Hit the racquet with a mallet, even if it’s a rubber mallet. However, you should know how to hit a racquet without a mallet. This article will give you insights into different ways to cricket your cricket bat even if you don’t have a bat.

If you don’t have a bat and want to smash your cricket bat, there are a few ways to smash your bat. What you can do is use an old cricket ball wrapped in a sock or an old cricket ball tied to a handle. Alternatively, you can also purchase a ready-to-use or pre-knocked cricket bat as such batters do not require additional knock-in sessions.

Use an old cricket ball in a sock

The main intention is to give the cricket bat short little periodic hits to actually soften the originally brittle wood and it could be dangerous to use directly for a game. And for that, an old ball stuck in a sock can serve the same purpose even without a bat.

Below are quick steps to hitting a cricket bat with a ball in a sock.

Step 1: Oil your cricket beater with raw linseed oil. The oil is readily available on the open market as well as online marketplaces such as Amazon. You can put a teaspoon of oil on the surface of the racquet and rub it with your bare hand, including the corners and sides of the racquet. You can also use paper or cotton for oiling. Avoid boiled flaxseed oil.

: Oil your cricket beater with raw linseed oil. The oil is readily available on the open market as well as online marketplaces such as Amazon. You can put a teaspoon of oil on the surface of the racquet and rub it with your bare hand, including the corners and sides of the racquet. You can also use paper or cotton for oiling. Avoid boiled flaxseed oil. Step 2: Once the oiling is complete, leave the racquet aside for at least 24 hours to soak into the oil. Wipe off excess oil and leave on again for a few hours. Apply another layer of oil the next day and leave on for another 24 hours. Wipe down the racquet to remove the excess oil and wait a few more hours before you can start the knock-in.

: After oiling, leave the racket aside for at least 24 hours to soak up the oil. Wipe off excess oil and leave on again for a few hours. Apply another layer of oil the next day and leave on for another 24 hours. Wipe down the racquet to remove the excess oil and wait a few more hours before you can start the knock-in. Step 3: The racquet is now ready to be tapped. Instead of a hammer, you can take an old cricket ball and stick it in a sock, the longer the better. Get the ball all the way down and you’re ready to knock-in.

: The bat is now ready to knock. Instead of a hammer, you can take an old cricket ball and stick it in a sock, the longer the better. Get the ball all the way down and you’re ready to knock-in. Step 4: Start the tapping process, which should take at least four to six hours.

Use an old ball on a short grip

Yes, this is another alternative to the mallet and ball in the sock to perform the tapping process. You can use an old bullet mounted on a short handle, or a wooden stick that’s practically similar to a mallet, except with an old bullet mounted on the end that’s used for pounding.

This is easily available in the market and online marketplaces like Amazon. For example, check out this SG Standard Cricket Bat Knocking Ball Mallet Hammer, very handy for batting preparation. SG is a renowned Indian manufacturer of cricket bats, balls and other equipment.

Tips for hitting:

Since four to six hours is a long time, you can break up and repeat the task every hour. Every hour, hit four key areas of the cricket bat – both sides, face and tip – for 15 minutes each.

Also try to round the edges of the cricket bat when hitting it so that when a ball hits the edge it can better withstand the impact. This can be done by repeatedly tapping the ball on the edges and moving it outwards.

The tapping action should always be away from you to avoid hitting the wood directly.

To begin, keep your grip over the top of the ball. With each passing hour, move your grip away from the ball and move the sock up.

Don’t rush throughout the tapping process.

Once you’re done with the knock-in, you’ll need to practice with the cricket bat using an old cricket ball.

Avoid tapping around the handle or splice as this can weaken the racquet in that region.

What are pre-knocked cricket bats?

If you don’t have much time for a longer tapping process, you can go directly to pre-knocked cricket bats. Such cricket beaters are commercially available and are prepared using the oil and batter method. Of course, such cricket bats are a slightly higher price to pay for the added value.

Even if such cricket bats are already oiled and battered, it is recommended that they be oiled and battered a little for better performance and durability. If the cricket bat makes a hollow sound when it hits the ball, this is an indication that the bat is ready for use.

Conclusion

Although mallet is the most convenient option for the tapping process, there are other means to achieve the same as mentioned above. Ultimately, the batting is intended to compress the fibers in the willow, allowing the bat to withstand the impact of a cricket ball and last longer.