Care for your Bat Post by : Admin | 06 Jun 2022 Oiling & Knocking Instructions Oiling Cricket Bat Oiling your bat regularly keeps the fibers of the wood supple and prevents the bat from cracking. Using a soft rag, apply a thin coat of raw linseed oil to the face, edges, toe and back of the bat - Do not overuse oil. After application, leave the cricket bat in an horizontal position to dry for at least 12 hours. After this time, you can apply a second coat following the same directions as above. Leave the bat again for a further 12 hours. If your cricket bat already has an anti-scruff cover, the face of the bat will not need oiling but the back will. Your cricket bat is now ready to be knocked in. Knocking in a cricket bat The knocking in process cannot be rushed and must be carried out carefully, to ensure the wood of the bat is compact, so the fibers are compressed and knitted together. Using a specialist hardwood bat mallet, gently strike the face and edges of the bat to harden and round these areas to prevent breakages and damage to the bat. Repeat the above process several times, gradually increasing the power of your blows. After you've spent a minimum of 2-3 hours knocking in your cricket bat, for a couple of days, you can then test it at the nets by hitting some short catches using an old cricket ball. If seam marks or small indentations appear on the face, you will need to continue the process for a longer amount of time. Most cricket bats can take up to 4 hours to be fully knocked in. After a few net practice sessions, your bat should be ready to use in a competitive game.
