In cricket, batters utilize specialized equipment called bats. The cricket bat, which is usually made of a flat willow-wood blade with a handle attached, is used by the batsmen for a variety of purposes. The main purpose of it is to hit the cricket ball and get runs. By holding the bat and making contact with the ground with it, it can also be utilized to prevent runout. The shape and feel of the bat have not changed over time, despite many adjustments having been made to its material or size. Modern bats have been impacted by changes in preparation techniques and size. Generally speaking, a bat’s length cannot exceed 38 inches (96.5 cm), and its breadth cannot exceed 4.25 inches (10.8 cm). Let’s now examine and comprehend the steps involved in making a cricket bat. Scroll down to read Step by Step Guide On How Cricket Bats Are Made.
Step by Step Guide On How Cricket Bats Are Made
Types of Cricket Bats
- English Willow
- Kashmiri Willow
- Softball Cricket bats
- Training cricket bats
The Tools Required To Make A Cricket Bat
There are a few tools needed to prepare a quality cricket bat. They are listed below:
Draw Knife/Pod Shaver – One common and traditional instrument needed to make a bat is the Pod Shaver. The British Steel draw knife and pod shaver are regarded as high-quality products.
Shaping Plane –An additional tool for creating and shaping a bat is the shaping plane. With a rounded base and blade, it’s a wooden box plane. The tool is used to create concave batbacks, which are highly sought-after in contemporary bats.
Smoothing Plane –This tool is used to shape the edges of the bat, as its name implies.
Glue Knife – The glue knife is a useful tool for both gluing and fixing aging and broken bats.
Sanding Gloves –The last step in bat finishing is hand sanding. The sand particles could end up being quite hard and harmful to the skin, even if they are essential to finishing the bat. Sanding gloves are therefore utilized to add the final touch to the bat.
Rubber Grip – Putting on a rubber grip completes the bat preparation process. After the bat is manufactured, a rubber grip is applied to the handle, enabling the batsmen to hold the bat more effectively.
Materials used in the preparation of a bat
A cricket bat is made from one of three varieties of willow. They are listed below:
Kashmir Willow: This variety of willow is mostly utilized in the production of comparatively less expensive cricket bats. As its name implies, it is present in the Kashmiri regions. Even though Kashmir willow is thought to have outstanding quality, it is not as good as English willow, thus businesses that make reasonably priced cricket bats use it instead.
English willow: Often chosen over Kashmir willow, this kind is regarded as the best. The United Kingdom is home to these. This willow is used by the majority of well-known bat makers to make their bats, and it is also preferred by international players.
White Willow/ Salix Alba: Salix Alba, or white willow, is indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and Central Asia. In comparison, the wood is stronger, lighter, and more resilient to shocks. These characteristics enable bats constructed from this willow to withstand hits at high speeds.
Steps involved in the preparation of a cricket bat
The following are the key steps or stages in the production of a bat:
Cutting or Machining Process
The willow is first cut into a particular shape before the entire procedure begins. The willow is given what are known as “clefts,” which are rough shapes. Before the ends are given the ideal shape, they are dipped in wax and allowed to air dry for approximately a year. The aforementioned clefts are then categorized based on several factors, including width and straightness. This grading scheme has four tiers. It is important to remember that the bat’s size should not exceed 38 inches and its width should not exceed 4.25 inches.
Pressing Process
The pressing procedure, which comes next, is pressing the willow to force the fibers closer together. The act of compressing the bat contributes to its structural integrity and helps to create a dense, sturdy, and compact willow. This stage is essential since it establishes the bat’s durability and strength.
Fitting the Handle
Following pressing, the willow is sliced at the top to make room for a handle, which is then fitted using adhesives. To make sure that it doesn’t come out easily, the handle must be positioned correctly.
Shaping the Bat
A draw knife is used to assist in shaping the bat. This is crucial since it is what makes the bat appealing. This step accomplishes several changes, including trimming the bat’s toe and getting rid of excess materials.
Finishing Operations
The bat is polished with a beeswax compound once it has been given its final shape and sanded down, which smooths the bat and gives it a lovely gloss. This prolongs the bat’s life by preventing moisture from getting in. After adding a toe guard and rubber grip to the handle for added grip, a brand sticker is placed on the blade’s face.
Variations in Cricket Bats
Many modifications have been added to the traditional willow pattern over time. Whether it was Dennis Lillee’s ridiculous aluminum bat, which was eventually outlawed, or the more modern Mongoose bat, which had an elongated handle and increased swing, speed, and dexterity for batters.
Also read, Anil Kumble’s Biography: The Jumbo Of Cricket Community
