Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Bats => Bat Care => Topic started by: Dario74 on May 12, 2016, 09:16:45 AM
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Morning Everyone
First post so be gentle... After about 17 years of not playing cricket I've returned to play in a local team. I feel like Rip Van Winkle given that a lot has changed in the intervening years. Anyway I decided to take the plunge and buy a new bat, having prodded around with a few second hand bats for the last few weeks. My question is twofold - since when were bats so angular/have such sharp edges and how much do you look to sand/round the edges as part of the knocking in process? I remember my old Slazenger V12 as being a rounded club of a thing. Also how quickly would you use new bats in a match? (I think that means my question is now threefold)
Thanks in advance
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Welcome to the forum Dario
Angular edges are a modern thing, as everyone seems obsessed with big looking bats (see the trend for heavily concaved bats with 45-50mm at the moment to get my point).
When you get your new bat, round the edges with your bat mallet.
If you look on Youtube, Paul from @ItsJustCricket has done an excellent video on the knocking in process that shows how to do it properly.
As for using it in a match, I'd personally get it fully knocked in then net against old balls for a few sessions. Once you're confident it's played in and no seam marks are appearing from use against the old ball it's ready to be taken into the middle. If you open or face a new ball regularly I'd play it in for a bit longer than if you come in down the order when the ball isn't quite so hard.
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Thanks for the reply and yes the size of new bats is also a surprise, I've seen guys this season who don't look the most accomplished batsmen pinging the ball to all parts - there speaks an embittered nudger and nurdler :) . Will have a look at the YT video and spend some time getting it ready. I'm opening so facing my fair share of yorkers.
Thanks for the advice.
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@Dario74 Which new bat did you opt for then? Or are you still deciding?
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Hi,
Here goes... I didn't reference the bat as I noticed the brand was a bit of a 'Marmite' make. As I'm only just back to playing I thought I'd take a gamble on an MSR. I bought a 2lb 11oz 9 grain Premier. Has a lovely pick up and seems very well balanced. Time will tell but if I get a good season out of it I'll be happy. If the season goes well and I play on next year I'll put some more money into a new bat. With all the new gear I've bought I'm already having to convince the wife I'm not having a mid life crisis!
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I've never used an MSR but have seen some pretty good reviews of them. If you don't mind me asking, how much did the Premier model set you back?
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It was advertised at £69 - 50% off apparently - I rang MSR and they took a further 10% off for direct. At the price I'm not expecting miracles but it passed the finance office approval (wife)
I checked with the guy and it has the new handles on so shouldn't have the problems of old. Intrigued to see how it goes as I've been batting with an old Newbery and it's felt a tad leaden, though I'm conscious I'm not yet timing the ball as I used to.
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Wow, that seems cheap for a Premier?! Did you get the deal off EBay? Hope it goes well for you mate.
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Thanks and fingers crossed. Yes saw it on Ebay, it has a miniscule cosmetic blemish so marked down.
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I used a low middle MSR for 2-3 seasons and it was the best bet I have ever had, cost me £45 in one of their specials on this very site. I only bought it for net use but it was really good. I've now got a Custom H4L made in the same shape and weight. Highly recommend MSR bats still though
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That's good to know, right now I'd take anything that helps me hit the ball off the square.
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Hi Dario and welcome to the forum with regards to preparing your bat ( Cam WW) is spot on.
Also I've known players roll ther edges on there bath to round them while the edges are still soft.
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Also I've known players roll ther edges on there bath to round them while the edges are still soft.
I've tried this a few times and never found the results satisfactory/worthwhile
I will however say that a rolling pin is a surprisingly useful tool. Hold the bat firm so the edge is on about a 45 degree angle, then press as hard as you and roll the edges like you would pizza dough
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Thanks for the welcome and the advice......a rolling pin is a new one on me but will give it a go.
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I have a MH16 i might be persuaded to let go of for the right money.... ;)
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I have a MH16 i might be persuaded to let go of for the right money.... ;)
Hope they only charged you half the RRP, seeing as they concaved half the bat out the back! :(
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Hope they only charged you half the RRP, seeing as they concaved half the bat out the back! :(
the offer was 30% off but i didnt realise that they meant the bat and not the price. Lol