It took centuries of evolution for cricket bats to develop into what they are today. The alleged first use of such a bat is pegged at 1624. However, the hard evidence in the form of an actual existing bat points to a later date in 1729.
Either way, the bat used today has evolved through centuries of trial and research about what gives a player the best grip, ability to rotate the wrists or swing hard. But the core process and material used remains the same. A specific kind of willow tree (Salix alba caerulea) wood treated with linseed oil is the only suitable option.
Thing is that the amount of experimentation possible is limited by the rules aka the laws of cricket. These rules explicitly state that a bat has to be wooden. It also says the bat has to be at most 38 inches from the toe bottom to handle top. The width of the blade cannot be more than 4.25 inches.
So what's left are the relative lengths of the handle and the blade, and the bat's weight. Whether the bat is hand-made or machine-made may make a difference, and so will the type of grip. These choices are best left to the individual players, depending on their physique and batting style.
There is, of course, always room for some ingenuity, as demonstrated by the launch of a bat with a lightweight carbon handle. Another company has come up with double-sided cricket bats. The traditional one has a flat front side for hitting the ball, while the back has a ridge with the mass concentrated down the bat's middle.
Some players are testing a bat supported by special carbon-polymer. Another one that is now being used by attacking players has a short, thick blade with a long handle. Just like the game itself, cricket bats too are evolving slowly with time and as per changes to the game's format and rules.
Either way, the bat used today has evolved through centuries of trial and research about what gives a player the best grip, ability to rotate the wrists or swing hard. But the core process and material used remains the same. A specific kind of willow tree (Salix alba caerulea) wood treated with linseed oil is the only suitable option.
Thing is that the amount of experimentation possible is limited by the rules aka the laws of cricket. These rules explicitly state that a bat has to be wooden. It also says the bat has to be at most 38 inches from the toe bottom to handle top. The width of the blade cannot be more than 4.25 inches.
So what's left are the relative lengths of the handle and the blade, and the bat's weight. Whether the bat is hand-made or machine-made may make a difference, and so will the type of grip. These choices are best left to the individual players, depending on their physique and batting style.
There is, of course, always room for some ingenuity, as demonstrated by the launch of a bat with a lightweight carbon handle. Another company has come up with double-sided cricket bats. The traditional one has a flat front side for hitting the ball, while the back has a ridge with the mass concentrated down the bat's middle.
Some players are testing a bat supported by special carbon-polymer. Another one that is now being used by attacking players has a short, thick blade with a long handle. Just like the game itself, cricket bats too are evolving slowly with time and as per changes to the game's format and rules.
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If you want to know more about Cricket Bats, speak to a salesman at your nearest Cricket Shop or club.
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