Since cricket started in England, it has developed into a hugely popular sport worldwide, particularly in Australia. For beginners, there are some elements to the game that you’ll need to understand.
The nuances of LBWs can take some getting used to, but the equipment too can be challenging to get your head around at first. For example, what is in a cricket ball that makes it so hard? And how can cricket pads give you protection whilst allowing you to run between wickets?
One important piece of equipment in the game is the cricket bat, but finding one that suits you is just the start (the cricket experts at INTERSPORT can help with that). You’ll next need to know how to knock in a cricket bat before you ever play a full match with it, and then you need to learn about refurbishing a cricket bat to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.
That’s what we’re here to explain. By the end of our guide, you’ll be a seasoned pro who can even teach others a thing or two about knocking in cricket bats.
How Do You Knock In A Cricket Bat?
There are several ways you can knock in a cricket bat. Repeated play is perhaps the most obvious. That doesn’t mean turning up to a game and using your bat immediately, though, as it might not be quite as ready as you’d like. Instead, repeated play can simply mean hitting a ball around in the nets or basic ball skill practice. Either way allows you to get some training with a new bat and can help you get used to a new grip if the bat is a different brand or design than what you’re used to.
The preferred method for professionals is to knock in a bat with a bat mallet or even a old cricket ball that has been encased in a sock.
If you do either of these methods, you must be careful where you hit the bat. Ensure you leave enough space between the bottom edge of the bat – around 3cm or so. Anything smaller, and you risk cracking the bat as this is a weaker part of it.
How Long Does It Take To Knock In A Cricket Bat?
A cricket bat should not take too long to knock in, especially if you use a bat mallet. Often, it’s a process that any avid cricketer loves to do. Of course, every bat is different, making it hard to specify how long it might take you. Ultimately, you’ll know that your cricket bat is knocked in if the bat mallet or ball is no longer making marks on your cricket bat. Depending on how soft the willow is, knocking in a new cricket bat can typically take 4-6 hours of repeated strikes with an appropriate mallet or hammer.
What Happens If You Don’t Knock In A Cricket Bat?
If you do not knock in your bat, its strength and durability may weaken. The process of knocking in is to help bring a bat up to a standard where it can withstand the repeated impact of a cricket ball. A totally brand new bat may not withstand the often forceful impact that occurs when hitting a ball. Additionally, a non-knocked bat may not provide enough power to hit the ball like a batter would want.
Ultimately, knocking in a bat helps harden the wood and bind it together so that a ball will not damage it when bowled at pace. If knocking in is not completed, you put your bat at risk of cracking or breaking, which means you may need to spend extra money on repairs or even a new bat altogether.
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