The earliest cricket bats looked quite similar to current hockey sticks. There were initially no regulations regarding the shape or size of any bat. Gentlemen would instead make agreements about the size and width. Those bats were light along their lengths, but had heavy bases.
In the eighteenth century, another rule came into being: that the maximum width of a bat was four and a quarter inches. This happened because in 1774, a player named Shock White created a bat that was as wide as the stump itself.
The entire length of the bat used to be made in a single piece. The problem with this was that it made such instruments easily breakable. That is why is 1880 the grip was added to the rest separately. This strengthened the whole of the instrument. After four years, it was also ruled that the maximum length of any bat would be thirty-eight inches.
In the beginning no particular wood was used to make the instruments. This was until English Willow Wood was found to be the best wood for the task. It was strong, but light enough to enable use. These instruments weighed five pounds.
Afterward, the sapwood of the English Willow was used, instead of the heartwood. This made the bat even lighter. It had become half the weight of its predecessor. Then, in 1920, some players wanted their instruments heavier again, to grant them more power and durability.
Modern advancements have changed some cricket bats even more. Some have heavier blades, but retain a lighter feel. They can produce a lot of power, but rarely last longer than a thousand runs. Bat-makers have also found ways to create core power portions on a bat. When a ball is hit on that spot correctly, it can greatly increase the power produced. This allows for very powerful hits when done properly.
In the eighteenth century, another rule came into being: that the maximum width of a bat was four and a quarter inches. This happened because in 1774, a player named Shock White created a bat that was as wide as the stump itself.
The entire length of the bat used to be made in a single piece. The problem with this was that it made such instruments easily breakable. That is why is 1880 the grip was added to the rest separately. This strengthened the whole of the instrument. After four years, it was also ruled that the maximum length of any bat would be thirty-eight inches.
In the beginning no particular wood was used to make the instruments. This was until English Willow Wood was found to be the best wood for the task. It was strong, but light enough to enable use. These instruments weighed five pounds.
Afterward, the sapwood of the English Willow was used, instead of the heartwood. This made the bat even lighter. It had become half the weight of its predecessor. Then, in 1920, some players wanted their instruments heavier again, to grant them more power and durability.
Modern advancements have changed some cricket bats even more. Some have heavier blades, but retain a lighter feel. They can produce a lot of power, but rarely last longer than a thousand runs. Bat-makers have also found ways to create core power portions on a bat. When a ball is hit on that spot correctly, it can greatly increase the power produced. This allows for very powerful hits when done properly.
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If you want to know more about Cricket Bats and their history, or see some modern examples, visit your local Cricket Shop.
