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The History And Evolution Behind Cricket Bats
Modern-day cricket bats have evolved from centuries of experiments and research. The first possible date when a bat was used for this game has been noted as 1624. But the hard facts point to almost a century further ahead, to 1729.
Regardless, today's bat still has a few centuries of history and evolution under its belt. The result is a bat design that provides the player a solid grip and allows hard swings just as easily as a flick or turn of the writs. However, the manufacturing process and material haven't changed much, with English Willow wood or Salix alba caerulea treated with linseed oil as the only viable choice.
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.
The modifications and trails are therefore mostly limited to the weight of the bat and the relative lengths of handle and blade. The type of grip and how the bat is made (by hand or machine) also makes a difference. Players prefer different weights, sizes and grips based on their batting style and physique.
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.
Regardless, today's bat still has a few centuries of history and evolution under its belt. The result is a bat design that provides the player a solid grip and allows hard swings just as easily as a flick or turn of the writs. However, the manufacturing process and material haven't changed much, with English Willow wood or Salix alba caerulea treated with linseed oil as the only viable choice.
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.
The modifications and trails are therefore mostly limited to the weight of the bat and the relative lengths of handle and blade. The type of grip and how the bat is made (by hand or machine) also makes a difference. Players prefer different weights, sizes and grips based on their batting style and physique.
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.