Cricket Equipment – Cricket Mallet - Breaking In Your Bat

If you’re not sure how to break your bat in or what equipment you will need, follow our instructions below on mallets and how to use them.

When buying a cricket bat, you will need to purchase some breaking in equipment to break your bat in prior to using it. 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, a grip applicator cone, and most importantly a good cricket mallet! It is recommended that you buy three grips, and you can usually get someone at the shop to show you how to use them.
 
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 with your mallet. 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 it in.

The idea of knocking a cricket bat 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 cricket 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 mallet you choose to use for breaking in your equipment, always remember to 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 your mallet 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 your mallet 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 and a good, study mallet is the way forward!

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.