Over the years, cricket bats have significantly evolved from being made of thin willow wood to quadrupling in size. In this write-up, we’ll explore the history of cricket bats and how it’s changed over the time.
Scoring boundaries or hitting sixes was once a challenge, but the advent of T20 cricket has transformed the game. Nowadays, batsmen hit more sixes than fours, can score prolifically, and chase massive targets, all thanks to modern cricket bats.
Many attribute this change to the strength of current-generation batsmen and shorter boundaries. However, the evolution of cricket bats themselves has played a crucial role in enabling power-hitting. Let’s explore how modern cricket bats have transformed the game.
The History of Cricket Bats:
1624: The cricket bat’s earliest reference comes from an inquest after a fielder was killed. The batsman, attempting to prevent a catch, struck the fielder with his bat, which resembled a hockey stick due to the underarm bowling style prevalent at the time.
1720: The early cricket bats looked like hockey sticks, possibly due to the game’s origins involving shepherds’ crooks. The first printed mention of cricket in 1624 followed a fatal incident involving a batsman using his bat to obstruct a fielder.
1750: The laws changed to allow “length bowling,” performed underarm. The bat became roughly parallel with a maximum width of 4.25 inches, a standard still maintained today. Bats were heavy and “bottom-heavy,” with batting techniques shifting from horizontal swings to more vertical ones.
1750-1820: While the bat’s width remained the same, the blade length, shoulder, and toe evolved.
1820s: With round-arm bowling allowed, bats became lighter with a higher “swell,” resembling the modern bat shape. The blade and handle were initially a single piece of willow.
1830s: Increased ball speed and breakages led to handles being spliced into bats, made of solid willow or ash.
1840: The first use of “spring” in bat handles was recorded, initially using whalebone and later Indian rubber.
1853: Thomas Nixon introduced a cane for handle making in cricket bats.
1864: With over-arm bowling permitted, bats became lighter and more refined, with intricate cane handles and rubber grips.
1870s: The modern cricket bat shape emerged, maintained by the MCC regulatory committee for over 147 years.
Modern Changes and MCC Regulations
In recent decades, bat sizes have significantly increased, becoming lighter and larger due to advanced kiln drying and manufacturing techniques. In 2017, the MCC introduced laws that restrict bat dimensions to 108mm in width, 67mm in depth, and 40mm edges, aiming to address concerns about the balance between bat and ball.
Alternative Materials: Bamboo Bats?
In 2021, a Cambridge University study proposed bamboo bats as stronger, more sustainable, and cheaper alternatives to willow. However, the MCC, guardians of cricket laws, mandated that bats must be made from wood, not grass like bamboo. Additionally, bamboo bats require lamination, which is only permissible for junior bats under current MCC laws. Therefore, changing laws would be necessary for bamboo to become a viable alternative.
Constant Innovation:
we continuously strive to provide better products and services to cricketers. Our custom bat fitting service is growing, and we’re working on new shapes and technologies to shape the future of cricket bats.
Modern Bats: Specifications and Impact:
The cricket bat has evolved significantly in terms of blade and weight, impacting hitting ability. Larger centers and thick spines create sweet spots that enable powerful hits, making six-hitting more prevalent. Custom-made bats with ideal weight are now a common choice for batsmen.
Key Modern Bat Specifications:
Weight: Modern players prefer heavier bats, weighing between 1.2 kg to 1.4 kg, to hit more sixes. However, heavier bats require more effort to swing.
Sweet Spot: The sweet spot, between 6 to 10 inches from the toe, is densely packed with wood, enhancing hitting power. The bat’s spine height should not exceed 67 mm.
Curve: The curve in a bat enhances shot quality, balances the bat, and increases the sweet spot area without adding weight.
Edges: Thick edges create a wider sweet spot, improving performance without compromising balance. Players customize bat size, weight, and curve to their preferences, with edges not exceeding 40 mm as per cricket laws.
Batsmen use different bats for various formats and conditions, but all modern bats enhance their ability to hit boundaries.
Also Read: Top 10 Cricket Kit Manufacturers: Leading Brands of The World
