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[johnrockin]

After the third net of the pre-season and my first putting any real force in the shots. My new bat has developed this surface split on the face (looks like it's also cracked the scuff sheet). The surface crack is about 5cm.

The bat was pressed ready for netting and as suggested by the bat-maker, it also had 1.5hrs of knocking-in (2hrs actually) and 40mins worth of easy netting.

Obviously, my previous bats have developed cracks on the surface. However, the speed that this has materialised has worried me a bit.

Basically... Was it caused by the bats preparation, a cheap new ball (this should not be the case) or is it fine and just the natural characteristics of this piece willow?

[ppccopener]

You should'nt use new balls in the nets i confiscate them at ours,the willow is very white that often means its soft and high grade.
Dont worry about it hammer the sides of the crack with a mallet.
By the white nature snd straight grains looks like a grade 1.
Its better going here than near the toe area

[Number4]

I wouldn't be concerned at all.. What I would do is give it more time on the mallet

You can see by the seam marks that its certainly not knocked in enough

[ppccopener]

Ps cant see an anti scuff sheet on it,for a fiver they are worth it

[Andypara]

I would say it needs more knocking in as it showing a lot of seam marks on the face which means the willow is soft and needs compressing more

id just sand it and apply another good quality scuff sheet and knock it more before netting

[johnrockin]

You should'nt use new balls in the nets i confiscate them at ours,the willow is very white that often means its soft and high grade.
Dont worry about it hammer the sides of the crack with a mallet.
By the white nature snd straight grains looks like a grade 1.
Its better going here than near the toe area

Thanks ppccopener. I always thought that as long as they were match standard balls, it was ok (i.e. not cheap)! I'll make a note and maybe next week take my old bat until the balls a bit more worn in. PS There is a scuff sheet on the bat, but its also cracked through that.

[ppccopener]

Personally def not new balls against a new bat.good quality are better obviously than the hard centred indian or pakistani balls.
The ball can keep low in nets to so off the toe in a danger.
End of the day its your bat no one will replace it in the nets if it breaks.
You dont need to worry thou.looks nice
What bat is it?

[johnrockin]

Hades and it's very, very nice around 2lb 8.5oz and is balanced beautifully. Pick up wises it's the best bat I've used and the response, even at this early stage, is very good.

[Over Gully]

Surface cracks don't generally harm the performance of the bat, especially if they are near enough in the centre of the blade. As an opening bat I generally take a little longer to make sure my bat is knocked in, and also apply the scuff sheet to prevent seam damage from the new ball, as well as trying to minimise surface cracks as much as possible. I'd use throwdowns with some good quality older cricket balls as a way of introducing the bat to strokeplay, and it's also a good way to get used to the feel of the bat, the sweet spot, etc, before you use in a game.

[ppccopener]

Good choice john.saf are quailty.
Nice to see forum members going the small uk batmaker route.
Most of the saf are v nice shapes

[johnrockin]

Good choice john.saf are quailty.
Nice to see forum members going the small uk batmaker route.
Most of the saf are v nice shapes

I havent gone with a major manufacture in 4 seasons now, ever since getting a Scat. Its quality made me realise that they (other main stream brands) were over priced and often over rated!

[Vitas Cricket]

Take it back to andy to get patched up if it worries you. This photo looks like the scuff sheet is still on so it is difficult to judge the severity, but I'm sure he will happily seal it and fit a new scuff sheet which should be the end of the problem.

[johnrockin]

Cool. Thanks for your advice. It's already sanded, re-scuffed and I'll knock it in for a couple more hrs, before the next net (with older quality balls)

[toenails97]

Cool. Thanks for your advice. It's already sanded, re-scuffed and I'll knock it in for a couple more hrs, before the next net (with older quality balls)

Id do it for more than a few hours mate I knock mine in for 7 hours and I've never had any problems at all and they obviously perform amazingly!
Take your time mate....use your old bat if you have to for a few nets as I'd rather use it for a few nets than break a new bat resulting in you using it for another season!

[farnham_quins_2]

Pay someone to do it, much easier and you dont annoy family/housemates/neighbours...