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Bat Care

CRICKET BAT REPAIR

As soon as the cricket bat leaves the workshop, it will be subject to wear and tear. Prolong the life and performance of a bat by properly maintaining and ensuring immediate repair should any issues arise through practice and playing. Just as car owners are expected to be responsible for oil, water and tyres, there is an expectation that players will maintain their bats to prevent the likelihood of severe damage by taking some responsibility to prevent damage and perform minor maintenance.

KNOCKING IN

Knocking In Service at Bradbury Cricket is the most effective way to prepare a bat.  The bat is oiled, knocked 10 000 times and a protective facing applied. However, you can do this yourself.  Putting a bat through a roller is not knocking it in, nor is it part of the knocking in process.   Sport shops that use additional pressing through a roller are not knocking your bat in rather changing the bat makers intentions for ultimate rebound. If you require your bat to be knocked in click HERE.

MOISTURE DAMAGE

Willow as a growing tree, has a cell structure that supports aggressive uptake of moisture. Once the wood is made into a bat, this quality remains.   Bats are pressed to achieve a rebound for playing the ball, if exposed to excessive moisture, the fibres swell and the pressing is compromised. When this occurs on the end grain of a toe, the uptake of water (and soil particles) swells the toe area and leaves a grey watermark after drying. The cell walls weaken and cracking occurs with impact from the ball and/or tapping the bat on the ground. A toe guard fitted or the application of Bull Shoe Glue, or Selleys Shoe Goo will go a long way towards protecting against severe water damage- though best action is to keep the toe dry. To have a toe guard fitted, follow THIS link.

BLADE CRACKS

Willow is by its very nature, a soft wood, that when pressed, provides the rebound qualities required to strike the very hard cricket ball. Some small cracks are bound to occur on the bat, due to wear and tear, these will not affect its performance. If the cracks are wide enough to receive pva glue, remove any loose dirt, force in the pva and then clamp until the glue dries. As for treatment for feathering, affective clamping of the soft willow can be a grip cut into 2 or 3 cm bands, placed around the repair area. Once the glue is dry, lightly sand and if desired, apply a facing, of either fibre reinforced tape, or clear blade tape. This is a prime example where modern technology provides an exceptional solution to an old problem.  More information at the bottom of this page, however, should you require further assistance please email.

SHOULDER CRACKS AND TOE SPLITS

A cricket bat endures torsion through the force of the ball hitting a moving bat. The stress is mainly borne through the handle as it twists on impact. When this impact is off centre the bat experiences greater levels of torsion. The force is greatest with faster bowling or quicker bat speed. Repeated impact builds stress through the handle with the laminates moving excessively when the glue is compromised.  This transfers down through the shoulder causing splitting.  As soon as hairline cracks appear, it is very important the handle is inspected and cracks repaired to prevent permanent damage.

Likewise with toe damage which causes severe cracking, the area may need binding or fibreglass tape applied as a temporary measure. The insertion of dowels to the area may also be required. These repairs are best done be experienced craftsman, however, if this service is not available, a simple step by step instruction is available. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCE should a two part epoxy resin be applied to the toe. This glue does not flex with the natural wood. Impact from a cricket ball will crack the epoxy and completely split the cricket bat blade. No bat maker will apply this in a repair, please do not allow this application to be made on your bat.

BROKEN HANDLE

The handle can be replaced by experienced craftsman, this does not effect the performance of the bat and does not warrant a full bat replacement. If you need a re-handle, visit THIS page.

AFTER SALES SERVICE

A guarantee is honoured against the workmanship and materials, when the bat is used in a proper and responsible manner, within the first season (this is a 6 month or 3 month period, not a 12 month period). Proof of purchase (receipt) must be provided to the original place of purchase before any warranty work is considered. Water damage to toes causes cracking, yorkers and edges will cause additional damage that is not covered under warranty.

All warranty claims MUST be returned to the place of purchase, with receipt of original purchase. It is here where the first assessment will be made.

WEIGHT REDUCTION or REBALANCE

There are occasions where you may have made an error in judgement, or been convinced by crafty sales staff, maybe you received a gift and it is not quite right.  A weight reduction or rebalance can be a great way to remedy the situation.  The master crafters at Bradbury can advise and assist you.  This type of work must be discussed before any commitment is made to complete the request.  Once you have discussed your needs you can visit the rebalance service HERE.

Irrespective of make or finish of a bat, superficial face and edge marks will almost certainly appear, together with indentations or bruising of the willow. In these circumstances there is no need to worry as the durability and performance of the bat will be unaffected.

Bats returned to us by worried and sometimes ill-advised customers, in a similar condition to the pictures, are not complaints due to manufacture but merely reactions of willow.

PLAYERS RESPONSIBILITY

There is an increasing number of players, particularly younger players (or their parents) that without any great experience have an impression that bats last forever, or at least many years.  This simply is not the case.  The length of time a bat will last depends on many, many factors.  What is fair wear and tear is at times presented to us for instant remedy.  Like a car requires a driver tends to minor regular maintenance, so does a cricket bat. Like a car, the amount of wear and tear often reflects level and style of use.  Please take responsibility and care for your bat.  Bradbury cannot speak for all bat makers, however we speak for many.  We put years of experience and skill into the crafting of every bat we make.  Please respect what has been made for you.