| The appearance of cricket bats has changed an awful lot over the years. Although no one seems entirely sure on the exact age and origins of cricket, evidence suggests that the bats were being used for play as early as the 1600s.
At this time, underarm bowling was used, so it made sense to have bats that were shaped rather like modern day hockey sticks. By the mid 1700s, the rules of cricket were amended to allow underarm length bowling, at which point bats not dissimilar to those found today began to emerge. It is interesting to note that a maximum width of 4.25 inches for bats is thought to have become the rule at around this point in time. These were, however, still made from a single piece of willow wood.
By around the 1820s, bats with a higher swell that were lighter become widely used as round arm bowling was now permitted. In the following decades, solid willow cricket bats declined in popularity and were replaced by bats with spliced handles made from either solid ash or willow. In 1835 bat length was restricted to 38 inches, a rule that still applies in modern cricket. Whalebone springs were soon being used in the handles of bats. Thomas Nixon, of Nottinghamshire was quite well known for cricketing equipment inventions. As well as cork and open cane pads and his ‘ballista’ bowling machine, he introduced cane handles for bats. By the late 1800s over arm bowling was allowed in cricket, allowing bats used to become lighter again, with properly shaped blades and handles that allowed for extra grip (rubber grips were often used). Cricket bats as we know them today had arrived.
Modern cricket bats are usually made by machine, and graded according to the quality and appearance of the willow used. Professionals sometimes have their bats hand made by specialists, but of course these are more expensive. The willow wood used is treated with raw linseed oil for protection and to allow for increased friction when hitting the ball. Willow is used for the same reasons it always has been – it is strong and good at absorbing the shock of the ball hitting. Modern cricket bats are relatively light weight, and although there is no real standard in weight, they tend to come in between around 1.1 to 1.4 Kg (2 pounds 8 ounces to 3 pounds). Handle grip is improved using either rubber or cloth.
Whether you are just starting to play cricket, or are really experienced, the game’s history is fascinating, as is that of the equipment used. In order to understand a sport, it is important to know how it has evolved and progressed through the years. Developing an all round understanding of your game, other than the rules, can help you enjoy it more and add another dimension to taking part. It can also help to reason why a bat used in cricket looks how it does – seeing how it has changed with the sport over the years can make this clearer.
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