Laws of Cricket and the Cricket Bat Wood

The laws of cricket were standardized and have been administered by the Marylebone Cricket Club in London since its inception in 1787. The laws of cricket allow only for bats to be made of wood, with a handle constructed of either cane, wood or a combination of the two.

  1. Laws

    • The laws of cricket consist of 42 laws, written and interpreted by the MCC. The rules of the game govern not only how the game is played but also the spirit in which it is played. Law 6 of the rules of cricket deals exclusively with the subject of the cricket bat.

    Construction

    • Law 6 of the MCC rules allow a cricket bat to be constructed in two parts, a handle to grip the bat and a blade used for striking the ball. The blade of the bat is allowed to be manufactured only from wood, with no material inserted into the blade that is hard enough to cause damage to the ball greater than general wear and tear.

    Wood

    • The majority of cricket bats are constructed from cricket bat willow, with the handle and blade glued together. In England cricket bat willow is grown on large plantations in the counties of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, with trees aged between 15 and 30 years used for the manufacture of bats.