Cricket Equipment – Breaking In Your Bat

If you struggle with buying cricket equipment or need help and advice on breaking in your bat, read on.

When buying a cricket bat, there are certain pieces of cricket equipment that you should consider buying, to get the most out of your purchase. Always remember to go to a reputable store to buy any type of cricket equipment as you want to make sure that you receive the best advice you can from people who really know their trade.

When purchasing your cricket bat, the equipment which you should consider purchasing with it are additional grips and a grip applicator cone. It is recommended that you buy three grips, and you can usually get someone at the shop to show you how to use the additional equipment.
 
How To Knock In A Bat
Once you have purchased your cricket bat and the right accompanying equipment, the next stage is to break in your bat. If you have bought a bat that is lacquered then your bat will require less knocking in. But if the bat isn’t lacquered then the best procedure to follow is to soak the toe in some linseed oil, or lacquer the toe in estapol or bat lacquer prior to knocking in.

The idea of knocking a cricket bat in is so that you can avoid splinters and bits breaking off the edges of your bat during play. The reason that this could happen is because when you purchase a cricket bat, the fibres are still really soft in the bat. You need to compress these fibres so that the bat becomes hard enough to withstand the constant impact it will receive whilst you play. The best equipment recommended to break a bat in, is a solid wooden mallet.

When breaking your cricket bat in, your aim is to break in the surface of the blade, NOT the back or the bottom of the bat. Stick to the surface area and you won’t have any problems. Whatever equipment you choose to break in you bat, start gently, working on the edges of the cricket bat. You should notice a change in the texture of the bat, quite quickly, however, this doesn’t mean you’re finished. Keep working slowly on the edges of the cricket bat and then move onto the toe. Give the middle a beating too, but remember that you’re priority is the outside inch of the bat, round both edges and the toe.  

The next question you’re probably wondering is how long this process should take? Knocking in a cricket bat is a tedious process and it’s recommended that you spend 5 minute blocks knocking to prevent fatigue too early. A good indication for how long to keep bashing your equipment is at least 2 hours. If you can manage 4 hours then all the better! Most people allow themselves at least a week to break in a bat, so patience is the virtue!

Sports HQ is the European division for Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs, California. We sell a huge range of sports equipment, including cricket equipment. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us. Call us today on 01527 598388 for more information or to place an order.