Firstly, the most important thing to understand is that English willow is by nature a soft fibrous reed. In normal usage, willow will become scarred and dented simply due to the nature of the game (the impact of the ball). The cricket bat's performance will not be affected, and such markings can occur at any time during the bat's lifespan. It is too worth noting that not all damage is down to manufacturing or material fault…
“Bats are designed for the ball to be played 5” to 8” from the bottom and in the middle of the blade. The edges, toes and shoulders of the bat are not as thick as ‘the sweet spot’ and are consequently more prone to damage. We understand that all players mistime some of their shots and there is no disgrace in this, However, it must be accepted that a badly mistimed shot can cause damage to a bat which is not due to a manufacturing or material fault.”
Gunn & Moore, Cricket Manufacturer since 1885
Do you think your cricket bat may be broken? In this video, Richard sits down with Serious Cricket Retail Manager Chris to help you identify if your bat is broken and whether it will affect its performance!
Before we get into the detail of different types of damage that can occur to your cricket bat, it is worth mentioning that there are preventative steps that will reduce the likelihood of your bat becoming damaged.
Many different types of damage can occur to a bat in its lifetime each with different levels of severity. The good news is that the majority of these will be repairable or may not even affect the performance of the bat, but how do you identify this?
Cause
This type of damage can be caused by striking a ‘yorker’.
Solution
If minimal the crack will not affect the performance of the bat and can be easily strengthened with the addition of fibreglass tape. If more severe the bat may need to be repaired, however, this is an easy fix and will not affect your bat’s performance.
Cause
General wear and tear, use of cheap balls or inadequate knocking in.
Solution
In the short term this crack will not affect the performance of the bat but is worth using some fibreglass tape to strengthen and seal the crack to prevent moisture from getting into the bat. However, it is worth keeping an eye on this and if it becomes worse a repair may be needed. We always recommend applying a scuff sheet when you buy a new bat as this will help prevent this kind of damage from occurring.
Cause
This type of damage is caused by the striking of the ball at, or near, the base of the blade E.g. driving the ‘yorker’.
Solution
This type of damage will need repair in a workshop. However once repaired it wouldn’t affect the longevity of the bat and will allow you to go out and score many more runs!
Cause
Impact at the lower end of the bat, along with the nature of the force and grip in the top end putting the shoulder and handle under stress and causing damage.
Solution
This type of damage will need repair in a workshop, but this is easily repairable. Crack shoulders are a quick fix but if your handle is broken this may take slightly longer as it may need to be replaced.
Cause
This is mainly caused due to weak or dry willow causing the bat to break across the blade.
Solution
Unfortunately, these kinds of breaks are irreparable. However, in better news, this tends to fall under the manufacturer’s warranty. We recommend you get back in contact with the retailer you purchased your bat from. They will then start the process of looking to get a new bat under the manufacturer’s warranty.
The initial heartbreak of a broken bat doesn’t always last. The majority of cracks and damage won’t affect the performance of the bat and you can continue scoring many more runs with your favourite bits of willow. Some may need a bit more attention but once repaired will leave you with a bat that still performs as well as before.
If you would like more advice on a broken bat, that you have brought from Serious Cricket, please send an email to chris@serioussport.co.uk with pictures of the damage. We will be able to assess the damage and advise you on the next steps!
Go well and look after that willow!
