How to Knock-in a Cricket Bat

Knocking in a cricket bat can be tedious. It is certainly repetitive, involving several hours of knocking a ball, or rounded mallet, against a new bat. Some cricketers love it, all the while savoring the runs they will make from the properly "broken-in" bat. Most people think it is done to harden the willow, from which all cricket bats are made. In fact the process releases, or "liberates" the willow fibers so that they give a better "ping," or "punch" of the bat, according to the website Cricket Haven (See Resources 1).

Things You'll Need

  • Old cricket ball
  • Ball mallet
  • Ruler, blunt knife
  • Hours of time
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Instructions

  1. Knocking-in the Bat

    • 1

      Press the edge of your new bat with a ruler, a blunt knife or your finger nail, to check the level of indentation and see how much knocking-in you will need. Bats labeled "Ready to Play" are mechanically pressed, to compress the willow, according to Cricket Haven (See Reference 1). They still need work on the edges, but especially all over the face, for best performance.

    • 2

      Strike the bat's face with a special wooden mallet or an old ball (the older the better), increasing the pressure over time. Lightly tapping over and over, for an optimum six hours, is enough to knock most bats in properly.

    • 3

      Pay special attention to the edges, which are the weakest parts and the most likely to crack after a mistimed stroke through the slips. Knock in 15 minute spells, according to Cricket Haven, although others suggest spending an hour or two while watching television: just knock, knock, knock.

    • 4

      Keep on until you can't see the mark you made with your testing tool in step one. Bats vary. Some need just two hours and others need several days.

    Trying out the Bat

    • 5

      Try the ball out in the nets after two or three hours of knocking-in the bat. Use an old ball of good quality. If you can see seam marks on the face and edges you have not knocked-in enough. If you are satisfied, get a friend to bowl some soft old balls to you.

    • 6

      Find the feel of the bat, where its sweet spot is and how it sounds with the ball coming quickly off the blade. Check to see if the old ball has not left any indentations. If there are still indentations, the bat will need more knocking in.

    • 7

      Apply the anti-scuff sheet, but only when you are satisfied that the bat is properly knocked-in.

    • 8

      Keep playing the bat in, against slow and medium pace bowling in the nets, before you use the bat in a match. Then the selection of amiable bowling is out of your hands.