Sportsmart Northcote Manager, Tom Kilpatrick

I have played cricket for more than 15 years and have worked in the area for a number of years as well. I like to think cricketers come into Sportsmart because they know that they will get very good value for money, excellent service and great advice.

Here are some of the things to consider before choosing a cricket bat…

What type of ball am I using?
If using a tennis ball or any non-leather ball, a Kashmir willow will be fine. Although it is less durable and heavier, it is also cheaper option. If using a leather ball, English willow is the preferred choice as it is more durable, provides better rebound and is a lighter willow.

What size of bat is right for me?
An adult uses a Short Handle or Long Blade, depending on their height. Basically, it comes down to what’s comfortable and one’s stance at the crease. When choosing a junior cricket bat, it depends on height and age. A general rule is to halve the child’s age to find their size.

How do I know if the cricket bat is the correct weight for me?
The weight of a bat can be chosen to suit your age, strength and style of play. For example, a very strong adult may prefer a bat weighing around 3 pounds, whereas a 12-year-old boy would benefit more from a bat weighing 2 pounds. The best way to tell if a bat is the correct weight for you is to hold it out in front at shoulder level in one hand in the middle of the grip; if you can hold it this way for 10 seconds then it is not too heavy.

For any questions on how to choose a cricket bat, which ranges we stock and how to prepare your bat, don’t hesitate to call any of our stores and ask for the cricket department.

Sportsmart Northcote Manager, Tom Kilpatrick

Q. Why is it so important to choose the correct junior cricket equipment?

Children learn many skills and techniques early on in their sports development that they will keep through their playing days. If the cricket equipment they use is not right for them, their technique development will be poor. This could mean the difference between a future Australian cricketer or not.

Q. So, how do you size up a junior cricketer?

Firstly, the most important piece of equipment is the cricket bat. Too often kids come in and see a (senior-sized) bat that they love that is just too big for them. These bats are too heavy and too long for younger cricketers. At Sportsmart, our staff will size up the junior cricketer for the correct size bat. We check the length of the bat by making sure that it comes to the child’s wrist when standing up straight. We check the weight by getting the child to hold the bat by the end of the handle in their less dominant hand. This process is great for parents to know too – the senior-sized bats children may initially wish to get come with senior-sized price tags. Not only are junior bats made at the correct size for children, they are also much more affordable.

Q. What kind of questions do you get asked about the cricket bats?

Often, we get asked whether the child can ‘grow into’ the bat. Obviously, children grow – it is almost certain that a child will grow out of a bat at some stage. It is vital that children never play with a bat that is too big for them. It is far better to choose the correct size in a cheaper bat that can then be replaced when the child outgrows it than a more expensive bat that the child will have to use for multiple seasons.

Q. Why are some cricket bats cheaper?

It has to do with the quality (grade) and type of willow (wood) used to make the bat. Most senior bats (and some more expensive junior bats) are made from English Willow. English Willow is a soft wood that provides great rebound off the bat. However, being so soft, these bats take a great deal of care and maintenance during their lifetime. They need to be prepared carefully prior to use (see our article on how to prepare a bat). English Willow is then graded into four grades, with the better grades being more balanced and providing more rebound from the blade. Junior bats are commonly made from Kashmir willow. This willow is naturally harder and more suited to the realities of what a junior cricket bat needs to be – that is, hard-wearing and less expensive.

New, natural-faced cricket bats need to be oiled and knocked in.

OILING YOUR BAT

All bats that have a natural face (uncovered) need to be oiled with cricket bat oil throughout their life to maintain moisture levels in the willow fibres. This will reduce the chance of cracking or splitting during use. The correct type of oil to use on your bat is natural linseed oil (we sell this in store).

How to apply oil to new bats

The best way to apply oil to a cricket bat is by using a paintbrush. Lightly coat the face of the bat, edges and toe of the blade. Take care to avoid the stickers, logos and the splice area. Generally 3 to 4 light coats should be sufficient initially, and then apply one coat every 3 to 4 weeks thereafter. Allow each coat to dry, placing the bat in a horizontal position, before the next coat is applied. REMEMBER: use light coats only – you risk more damage to the cricket bat by over-oiling rather than under-oiling.

KNOCKING IN

‘Knocking in’ your new cricket bat is VITAL for its survival. This is the process by which the fibres of the willow in the face and edges are compressed together to form a barrier, which protects the bat against the impact of the ball. Effective ‘knocking in’ will significantly improve the performance and increase the lifespan of the bat. We also recommend that factory pre-prepared bats need extra preparation by further knocking in using a mallet.

How to ‘knock in’ your bat

Step 1: Using a special bat mallet, strike the bat repeatedly across and down the front of the blade. You should gradually apply more force over time. This conditioning must be performed with patience. Particular attention should be given to hardening the edges to minimise damage from an edge shot. This can be done by deflecting the mallet across the edges, not at right-angles. We also recommend ‘boning’ the edges, which involves running the handle of the mallet down the edges to compress them. The bat’s toe area should be struck carefully as there is risk of causing cracks or splits across the base of the bat if it is struck too hard. This step takes between 8 to 10 hours to complete.

Step 2: To ready your bat for match use, you should use your bat against throw downs in the nets or by giving short catches. Make sure the ball you are facing is a quality old ball. This should be done for at least 2 hours. If seam marks, small surface cracks or indentations are visible, immediately go back to Step 1 for further preparation for at least 2 more hours. This is not sign of a faulty bat – it simply means that the bat requires further attention.

Once these steps have been completed, your bat should be ready to use in matches. You should try to avoid use against a new ball initially. If this can’t be avoided or you are an opening batsman, you should purchase extratec for added protection.

Sportsmart Director Gerrard Woods speaks to Gray-Nicolls’ chief bat maker and the designer of the DUAL T20 cricket bat, Stuart Kranzbuhler.

Q. What made you think of creating this cricket bat?

It came about because first class and international cricketers were using the back of conventional-shaped cricket bats to play reverse paddle shots. It made it a high risk shot because of the spine on the back of the bat, let alone the damage that was occurring because the bat was not pressed on the back.

Q. How is it made?

We looked at which areas the players were hitting on the back of the cricket bat and found it was mainly the bottom 8–10 inches. We then gradually pressed the back of the bat after it was already made until it had a flat area 10 inches long. It does not compromise the power in the traditional face because no willow has been removed from the back so the density is still the same.

Q. What type of player would benefit from using the DUAL T20 cricket bat?

The DUAL T20 cricket bat has been developed for players who are inventive and looking to maximise their scoring options.

Q. What kind of shots can be played with it?

All the traditional shots as normal, but this cricket bat opens up the area behind point to the keeper. Using a normal bat all you can really do is guide the ball through this area. Using the DUAL T20, you can punch the ball with plenty of power and accuracy or use it to reverse drive past the keeper. When facing a spinner it will also save you a second or two by not needing to switch hands to reverse sweep. This will give you until the last moment to get into position to play the reverse sweep so the bowler won’t get time to adjust before releasing the ball.