how to keep your cricket bat in good condition

[The Sweeper]

Originally Posted by Stumped

ive got a new kookaburra coming, its grade 5 english willow so will be looking after it.

May I ask why? Surely oiling and cleaning isn't going to make this bat any good...

[blaster]

hey
i had a kookaburra beast savage english.
i knocked it in when i started but didnt oil it.
it started to crack on the edge a bit half way through the season.
then during my last game it got a crack on the the edge again that couldnt be used for the rest of the innings.
how should i fix it?
should i oil it now and should i put some sort of tape on it?

[Jonesy]

Originally Posted by roylandroos

hey
i had a kookaburra beast savage english.
i knocked it in when i started but didnt oil it.
it started to crack on the edge a bit half way through the season.
then during my last game it got a crack on the the edge again that couldnt be used for the rest of the innings.
how should i fix it?
should i oil it now and should i put some sort of tape on it?

I'm sure mas had a thread about fixing bats. If you post a picture in that thread I'm sure he'll be able to help.

[Stumped]

Originally Posted by The Sweeper

May I ask why? Surely oiling and cleaning isn't going to make this bat any good...

well i would tend to argue that! if you dont look after your bat it wont play very well and certainly wont last as long. Cleaning and oiling the Bat allows it to stay supple and stock the bat from drying out! Drying out means its more likely to crack!

Cracks can be repaired fairly easily, if its a small hair line crack, a dab off wood glue rubbed in, let it dry sand lightly to remove glue. (do not oild the glue as it will break down) and the best thing is to cover the edge in bat tape to add protection. if its a larger lifting crack same principle but put glue under the lifting crack, put in a vice or similar over night!