The aim of craftsmen is to make cricket bats that merge both durability and excellent hitting power. This is not an easy compromise to reach. Once the bat is purchased, it is necessary to take proper care of it to maximize its life.
They are typically made of willow wood. Wood that is soft pressed offers excellent hitting power, but it's more likely to crack. Hard pressed wood is more durable, but with less hitting power.
For athletes who are just starting to play the game, a light weight bat is the best way to start. As the player gets better and realizes what type of batting they are comfortable with, the player can slowly switch to heavier bats. The player's stance and body size will dictate the size of bat needed.
Purchasing the bat is only the first step. The bat then has to be prepared before it can be used in a game. A light sanding and a couple coats of linseed oil on the face and toe are necessary. The oil keeps water from finding its way into the wood, which would cause swelling of the wood.
The process of knocking is used to prevent damage from cracking to the new bat. Knocking takes patience and time. It is done by using a bat mallet to strike the face of the bat. An old, soft ball can also be used to bounce against it. Rounding the face edges is an important part of knocking. Before playing each match, hit a soft ball into the net several times before switching to a newer, harder ball. This process compresses and knits together the willow fibers in order to prevent cracking and other damage from hitting the ball.
Cricket bats begin with the craftsman, but then the rest of the work belongs to the athlete. Before using it in a game, the bat needs to be sanded, oiled, and gone through the knocking process. It will need constant maintenance to last a long time.
They are typically made of willow wood. Wood that is soft pressed offers excellent hitting power, but it's more likely to crack. Hard pressed wood is more durable, but with less hitting power.
For athletes who are just starting to play the game, a light weight bat is the best way to start. As the player gets better and realizes what type of batting they are comfortable with, the player can slowly switch to heavier bats. The player's stance and body size will dictate the size of bat needed.
Purchasing the bat is only the first step. The bat then has to be prepared before it can be used in a game. A light sanding and a couple coats of linseed oil on the face and toe are necessary. The oil keeps water from finding its way into the wood, which would cause swelling of the wood.
The process of knocking is used to prevent damage from cracking to the new bat. Knocking takes patience and time. It is done by using a bat mallet to strike the face of the bat. An old, soft ball can also be used to bounce against it. Rounding the face edges is an important part of knocking. Before playing each match, hit a soft ball into the net several times before switching to a newer, harder ball. This process compresses and knits together the willow fibers in order to prevent cracking and other damage from hitting the ball.
Cricket bats begin with the craftsman, but then the rest of the work belongs to the athlete. Before using it in a game, the bat needs to be sanded, oiled, and gone through the knocking process. It will need constant maintenance to last a long time.
About the Author:
If you need more advice oncricket bats visit you local cricket shop and speak to a salesman, the should be able to fill you in on the rest.
No comments:
Post a Comment