Bat

Bat is an integral part of the game of cricket, and it is with its help that the player hits the balls sent by the bowler. Different bats are used in cricket, and at the same time, they must meet certain standards in this sport.

Bat: history

The cricket museums have preserved the bat, which was played in 1723. It differs from modern analogs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, there was no special competition between bat manufacturers, but it appeared in the second half of the 20th century. In 1960, the first models of shoulderless bats from Slazenger were created, which allowed redistributing most of the weight to the “sweet spot”. At the same time, the cricketers could hit the balls harder but maintain balance and clarity in their movements. Lance Cairns from New Zealand is especially remembered for his game with the new bat.

A few years later, the company Warsop Stebbing (its central office is located in the UK) introduced double-sided bats. Competitors Slazenger and Warsop Stebbing did not stay away and came up with their own options:

• In 1974, the GN100 company introduced its debut bat. Its main feature was the absence of wood from the center of the rear of the bat. After the changes, it became easier to hold the bat with your hand. Despite the reduction of the wooden material, and with this type of bat, it was still possible to deliver powerful blows to the ball.
• In 1979, Dennis Lillee from Australia used a ComBat bat, which included metal and aluminum. It is not known for sure, but several sources report that Lillee damaged the ball in a match with the British. After that, he was strongly recommended to return to the wooden bat. The captain of the Australian national team, Greg Chappell, also insisted on this. After studying this episode, after some time, the leaders of the Marylebone cricket club decided to prescribe in the rules that only wooden bats are allowed to be used in official matches.
• In the 80s of the 20th century, the company Stuart Surridge & Co developed the Turbo bat, which included two large pieces of willow. Thanks to this structure, the bend of the bat has decreased. With similar equipment, Graham Gooch from England scored 333 points in one of the matches.
• In 2005, Kookaburr released a bat with polymer support wrapped in carbon fiber down the spine of the bat. However, soon this type of bat was banned.
• In 2008, SAFBats offered bat with an offset edge. Thanks to this, it was possible to increase the volume of the bat in the middle, which increased its efficiency without compromising the balance. This bat has been recognized as the best in the world of cricket for several years.

Bat: what is it made of?

A cricket bat resembles a flat bar. On the struck side, it has no roughness, and on the reverse side, there is a small ridge. Varieties of white willow are used for the production of the bat. The wood is treated with raw linseed oil for protection. The cricket willow (Salix alba var. Caerulea) gained special popularity. It is very strong, does not bend and does not split when hit. The front side of the bat is often covered with a protective film.

The blade bat is connected by a long cylindrical handle of the cane with a joint. Everything is similar to the racket that is used in tennis. This form of bats in cricket appeared in the 80s of the 20th century. This design was invented by Charles Richardson, a student of Brunel — one of the major figures in the history of the Industrial Revolution. Previously, spliced handles were popular in cricket, but they often broke at the junction.

Now the production of bats is concentrated in India and Pakistan. A few points remain in England, Australia, and New Zealand, but bats are made mainly for domestic use in these countries.

Bat: dimensions

The exact dimensions of the bat used in cricket can be found in 5 of the Laws of Cricket:

• The length of the bat — no more than 38 in (965 mm).
• Bat width — no more than 4.25 in (108 mm).
• Bat depth — no more than 2.64 in (67 mm).
• Edge of the bat — no more than 1.56 in (40 mm).

The bat’s weight in cricket is not regulated, but shells of 2 lb 7 oz to 3 lb (1.2 to 1.4 kg) are usually used. The rules regarding the bat’s size were formulated in 1771 and still remain unchanged on the main points. Recently, umpires have been supplied with bat meters, with which they can check the bat at their discretion at any time.

Bats are divided into three types by age categories:

• Children’s sizes. From 1 to 6 types. The larger the type, the greater the weight and length of the bit.
• Youth size Harrow. There are several variations.
• For adults.Experienced athletes usually use a short handle. But there are also those cricketers who prefer a long handle – up to 108 mm. As for the length, cricketers rarely take maximum-sized bats. More often, they stop at 900 mm.

Bat: service features

Bats in cricket must be pre-processed. If you immediately come to the field and start hitting the ball, then there is a high probability of damaging the bat. To begin with, it is better to practice the bat on old balls or knock it down with a special hammer. Also, cricket experts immediately advise treating the wood with raw linseed oil. In addition to the protective function, the athlete will be able to control the ball better.

Bat: interesting facts

Some organizations make bats similar in shape to those used for playing cricket. However, these shells are too large and do not pass according to the rules. A bat with a length of 15.627 meters is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It was produced by the Classic Mall Development Company, whose central office is located in Chennai, India. There are still some giant bats in the world:

• A bat with a height of 15 m is installed at the Defense Stadium in Karachi (Pakistan).
• There is a bat at Indira Gandhi Stadium in India, which is 30 m high and 3.0 m wide.
• The Bangladesh LEMU Soft Drinks company is the creator of a bat with dimensions of 21 m (length) and 2.4 m (width). It was installed during the 2007 World Cup.

Bat is important in cricket, and it is necessary to devote a lot of time to its selection to achieve high results on the field.