Four Cricket Bat Technical Terms You Must Know
Buying a cricket bat online can be an exciting experience in Australia! However, it's easy to get caught up on the immediate appearance of a bat without checking some other deeper, underlying factors that are really important in your selection.
You need to tailor your bat according to factors like size and weight, but it's advantageous if you have knowledge about your bat. Below are some important cricket bat terms that should be known to pick and take care of your bat in the best possible fashion.
1. Cricket Bat Handle
The grip on your bat is one of the most important parts because it means you will have to be able to comfortably swing any time by holding onto the bat.
A cricket bat handle is a cylindrical shaped object, with a rubber grip so it doesn't slip out of your hand when playing shots. The best cricket bats are made from English Willow as its wood, but the handle of the bat is often made from white willow wood or cane with three lines of rubber running down to provide it with extra durability.
When choosing a bat, you'll want to consider the length of the handle. Short handles work best for smaller players, and long handles are ideal for those who are taller.
2. Cricket Bat Shoulder
The top part of a bat, from the handle to the front of the body, is its shoulder.
If the length of your bat is too short, you may not be able to protect the shoulder of your bat from a bouncing delivery.
3. Bat Blade in Cricket
When hitting the ball, you want to make contact in an area known as the blade or body of a cricket bat.
When you're considering the blade, keep these three things in mind:
1. The sweet spot is usually in different places
The "sweet spot" is the strongest part of the blade that will yield maximum distance. Some bats have the sweet spot on the lower end of the blade, which is good for low and slow conditions, whereas others have it higher up on the blade, which is better suited for bouncier conditions.
2. What is the number of grains on the face?
"Bat grains" refer to the quality of your bat. These are lines you see running down the middle of the bat face. One way to tell the quality of a cricket bat is to examine how many grains are in straight lines. The higher number of grains with straight-lined areas, the better the quality.
3. Is it protected well?
Cricket bats should be protected with a layer of either oil or protective film to avoid issues. Before using the bat, it is crucial to knock in its end with a ball mallet or wooden mallet and then facing slow bowling so that you can prepare it. An unprepared bat creates more risk of damage.
For more information about how to knock in your cricket bat perfectly, visit our article on "How To Knock In Your Cricket Bat Properly"
4. Cricket Bat Toe
The bottom part of the cricket bat, also called the toe.
People often protect the handle of the bat because they think it is most susceptible to damage. In actuality, however, the toe is usually the first part that sustains damage on a bat. When the ball strikes an unprotected toe, your bat is at risk of being cracked, which (may) mean a need for greater fixing or even replacement. A toe guard is a simple protection you can add to your cricket bat.
These four key elements of a cricket bat to keep in mind when purchasing or protecting your bat.