Cricket Bat Care and Maintenance

Crickets bats are often beautifully crafted products that a cricketer gains a fond attachment too. However, do we care for them in the right way to help prolong their life?

Cricket bats are made from a natural product and overtime with use will accumulate wear and tear. Caring for your cricket bat will help optimise it's performance, prevent the likelihood of severe damage and ensure it lasts as long as possible.

So what are the dos and don'ts  to help optimise the performance of your bat and to prolong it's life?

Maintain Moisture Levels in a Cricket Bat

Stop your cricket bat from getting too dry or too damp:

  • Try and stop your bat from getting too dry, a bat that is too dry will increase the chances of severe damage
    • avoid leaving your bat in hot cars, lofts or conservatories in the summer.
  • Avoid getting your bat too damp, excess moisture in the bat will reduce the life of the bat
    • avoid leaving in damp places such as garages and sheds over the winter
    • On rainy days, try and avoid tapping the bat on wet ground or leaving it led down on damp grass. 

Apply linseed oil or a wax to help maintain moisture levels in the bat, to reduce the chances of cracking and splitting.

Random tip: if you think your bat is too dry, take it into the bathroom with you whilst having a shower, the steam from the hot water will enable the bat to take on some much needed moisture.

Net Sessions

Try and avoid batting against poor quality cricket balls. Poor quality balls can increase the risk of cracking your bat.

If you're in the middle of knocking in the bat, only bat against good quality used balls, avoid new cricket balls. If you see seam marks in the blade, the bat has not been knocked in properly, so continue the knocking in process. Once you have an increased confidence that the bat is knocked in, start to introduce newer balls in preparation for match readiness.

Regular Maintenance

After every batting session, inspect your cricket bat for damage. Identifying potential issues early will ensure they can be dealt with in a timely manner and reduce the risk of more severe damage further down the line.

A regular freshen up of your cricket bat is highly recommended, the frequency will depend on how much use your bat gets over a course of a season, but a refresh is certainly recommended at the end or start of a season.

A simple freshen up should include:

  • Removal of old scuff sheet
  • Light sand and polish of the blade, with an application of wax
  • Fitting of new scuff sheet

WC Cricket Repair and Refurbishment Services

WC Cricket offer a range of services, please get in touch if your cricket bat requires a service. Email sales@wccricket.co.uk or WhatsApp 07967409578.

Cricket Bat Freshen Up. Cost: £20
  • Remove existing scuff sheet
  • Sand and polish bat
  • Fit new scuff sheet
Cricket Bat Repair - Minor Cracks and Damage. Cost £30
  • Remove existing scuff sheet
  • Removing existing stickers, if required
  • Fix minor cracks (note: the damage to the bat will be assessed before committing to the work)
  • Sand and polish bat
  • Fit new scuff sheet
  • Replace grip (new grip provided)
Cricket Bat Repair - Major Cracks and Damage. Cost £40
  • Remove existing scuff sheet
  • Removing existing stickers, if required
  • Fix major cracks, such as toe and shoulder damage (note: the damage to the bat will be assessed before committing to the work)
  • Sand and polish bat
  • Fit new scuff sheet
  • Replace grip (new grip provided)
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