Bat Refurbishment
A cricket bat is a batsman’s weapon of mass destruction so to speak. It’s his go-to device and confidante while on the pitch. A lot happens that will cause the refurbishment option at some point.No matter how expensive and quality a cricket bat might be, wear and tear is inevitable.
Does this mean you throw your bat in the trash can and get a new one? Well, it’s the very first thing that comes to mind immediately your bat starts acting up. How about giving bat refurbishment a try and see how that goes?
What Causes Cricket Bat Damage?
Here are some possible causes that you should look out for;
- General wear and tear. If you’re used to the same cricket bat in all your matches, wear and tear is a reality. Your bat won’t be looking good as new for years on end. A common result of wear and tear is handle breaks. Believe it or not, this is a suitable candidate for bat refurbishment.
- Cracks across the blade. This is only as bad as it gets when a bat is used for all the wrong reasons. For instance, a cricket bat should only be used for hitting a cricket ball. Any other uses are only a recipe for disaster.
- Damage by moisture. Cricket bats are originally made out of wood. Exposing your bat to wet conditions will cause the base of the blade to swell. Splitting occurs once the bat dries and some batsmen render it useless.
- Low-quality cricket bats. Not all bats are manufactured out of the same material. This explains why some bats are more resilient than
- than others. A simple swing of the bat against a bowled ball and the blade becomes cracked.
If you love cricket and are on a budget, here’s some good news for you. The game can still go on even when your bat is showing signs of going on retirement soon. General cricket bat repair only requires you to have some glue and repair tape.
At the end of the day, it all depends on the level of damage on your cricket bat. Cracked blades are the commonest forms of damages that batsmen experience. Get the highest quality glue, apply it on the affected area, and clump the sides tightly.
Leave it on for about 12 to 24 hours before using it.
If you’re dealing with the case of moisture eating into your bat’s toe end, a quality toe guard would be in order. Be keen on the current state of your bat and act promptly if you notice anything unusual.
If you notice that pieces of wood are chipping off your cricket bat, get some tape and mask the face vertically. When a piece of wood chips off completely, get a chunk from a bat that is in tip-top condition but currently not in use then fix it using adhesive tape.
As an apt batsman, you should be ready for anything in regards to cricket. Familiarize yourself with the basics of bat repair just in case things spiral out of control along the way.
Your bat repair sessions are not complete without any of the following equipment;
- Glue. To be more precise, we’re not talking about the ordinary kind of glue. High-quality wood glue works on any bat under any circumstance. You can use it mainly to fill up cracks that may occur on the surface of your cricket bat.
- Sandpaper. As mentioned earlier, your cricket bat is sure to face some level of wear and tear. Sandpaper evens out the cracks that form especially at the toe of the bat. Start with a 60 grit then finish up with 100 grit for impressive results.
- Linseed oil. After using sandpaper, your bat will be as good as dry then cracking will occur. Linseed oil helps keep your bat supple and helps to prevent further cracks.
- Adhesive tape. This should never miss from your toolbox. It keeps your bat up and running especially during emergencies. Quality tape ensures the longevity of your cricket bat. It’s used in the repair of lighter cracks as well as other visible damages on your bat.
Cricket Bat Handle Repair
The handle has got to be one of the most sensitive parts of a cricket bat. Your grips wouldn’t exactly be effective if your handle was either weak or loose. You are likely to deal with more cases of this kind if yours is a low-quality bat.
This is not to say that a quality cricket bat is exempted from this kind of damage. If it does happen, there is hope for your cricket bat. If the handle is completely detached from the bat, use glue to reattach it.
For your bat to be more effective, apply specialized screwing techniques to make the handle firmer. If the handle is broken, you can only have it replaced and the game goes on.
What if you’re naturally not cut out to be a handyman? You’ll definitely need a cricket bat refurbishment team that has your back at all times. It gets frustrating to try to fix it on your own but end up failing miserably.
Don’t beat yourself up. Learning is a gradual process that will pay off in the long run. Until then, get a refurbishment professional/team that has handled cricket equipment for the longest time.
This shows that they are fully aware of what needs to be done and have, indeed, perfected this rare art over time.
Your preferred handyman should be all-rounded and well-versed in all that pertains to cricketing equipment. They’ll be in the position to advise you accordingly in case of a minor hitch.
Care and Maintenance of your Cricket Bat
Use linseed oil for the prevention of splitting and cracking. It also maintains the right level of moisture within your bat.
Handle it correctly anytime it’s in use.
Proper storage assures you of durability and your batting equipment will always be in perfect condition.
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