Cricket Bat | Cricket Bats Types| Different Brands Of Bats

Cricket bat is the special type of wood structure used to hit cricket ball in the game of cricket. Most of bats (about 90%) in modern cricket are made from the special willow wood. Cricket bat has narrow handle and a flat base to hit balls. With the use of modern technology, the quality of cricket bat has also significantly improved. Cricket bats in the early years used to be heavy but, had less stroke. But, nowadays cricket bats are light and has better stroke.

Cricket Bats History

The term cricket bat was first mentioned in 1624. In that time, the bats used to be in the shape of hockey stick because bowlers used to ball underarm ball as there was no bowling rules mentioned. During 1970's, there was change in cricket rule and bowlers could bowl the length ball as well. Hence, the cricket bat was modified and sides were made parallel with and handle was made thin. This cricket bat is similar to the modern bats used now a days but, the bat was very heavy and had little stroke in comparison. It was 1835, the first round arm bowling was allowed and it was necessary to modify the weight of bat and make it lighter so that batsman could pick it and use it with ease. During the same period, bats were first manufactured using more than one piece before this time, cricket bat used to be made of a single wood used to break very fast.

In the same year 1835, the maximum length of the cricket bat was fixed. The maximum length of bat was fixed 38 inches at that time which is also same in present context. In 1864, the over war bowling was allowed and there was more lightening of bat and refining of the blade. There is no any significant history about the cricket bat until 2010. In year 2010, the mongoose bat was launched for the first time which is specially designed for the T20 cricket. Mongoose bat blade is 33% longer than normal blade and handle is 43% longer than normal bat handle. With the growth of T20 cricket and Honkong Super sixes, we might see cricket bats with other variety too in near future.

Cricket Bats Size And Dimension

There are some limits about size and shape of bats as marked by the ICC cricket.

Cricket Bats Length:

Cricket Bats are classified into bat size 1, bat size 2 an so on on the basis of the height of the bat.
Size 5 Bat: Height from 4'-11" to 5'-2"
Size 6 Bat: Height from 5'-3" to 5'-4"
Harrow Bat: Height from 5'-4" to 5'-5"
Academy Bat: Height from 5'-6" to 5'-9"
Full Size Cricket Bats: Height above 5'-9"
Size 1 bats to size 4 bats are very small in size and are never used in international cricket. These size bats are used by kids. Full Size Bats are the bats that are generally used in international cricket. Full size bats are also categorized in to 2 categories, short handle bat and long handle bats. Short handle bats are from 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet two inches and above this, the bat is called long handle bats. Long handle bats are not allowed in international cricket as marked by ICC.
Maximum Height Of a Cricket Bat Fixed By ICC: 38 inches or 6 feet 2 inches.

Cricket Bats Width:

Cricket Bats width is relative to its height. For the certain height of the bat, it width is also generally fixed certain. Here is the list for cricket bats width according to its height.
Size 5 Bat : 4 feet
Size 6 Bat : 4 feet
Harrow Bat : 4 feet 2 inches
Academy Bat : 4 feet 3 inches
Maximum width Of The Cricket Bat Marked By ICC: 108 mm ( nearly 4 feet 3 inches)

Modern Cricket Bats

As mentioned with the growth the cricket from ancient low arm bowling to T20 cricket, the cricket bats have been changed from bat that resembling hockey stick to awkward looking bat with handle nearly equal to blade of the bat, mongoose bat. The bats has become more lighter and lighter but, the stroke and quality of bat has increased tremendously. Even, few decades back, hitting a six was extremely difficult and one who had enough power with good timing could only hit sixes regularly. Now, a days hitting a six is more about timing. This has significantly increased the quality of the cricket game.

 

Ten fun facts about Cricket

Fact 1:It is said that cricket originated in England. Since they used to raise sheep, the grass was so short that it was possible to roll a lump of wool on it which they used as a ball.

Fact 2:
The first recorded game was played in 1646, and later fines were handed out for those who missed the church to play.

Fact 3:
In the 1760’s, pitching a ball through the air was considered normal, thus the bat shape changed from a curve to a straight one.

Fact 4:
The longest cricket match took place in 1939 between England and South Africa, after 14 days it ended with a tie.

Fact 5:The two most common causes for pausing or suspending a cricket game is rain and bad light.

Fact 6:
When a batsman scores 100 runs, it called a century and is considered an achievement.

Fact 7:
A cricket game was once stopped because a pig ran across the field. It is even considered legal to suspend the game if an animal entered the field.

Fact 8:
Only one player can run out at a time. Usually left for the umpire to decide.

Fact 9:A cricket game has two umpires in the field and one off the field.

Fact 10:
Despite being a team game, individuals are stressed upon and put under pressure.

Top 5 Most Popular Cricket Players in the World

There are some wonderful cricket players who play the sport all over the world. However, some of these players are true world stars. Here are 5 players who every cricket fan knows about:

1. Sachin Tendulkar

He is by far the most famous cricket player in the world. Known as the “little master”, Sachin is famous for being the best batsman in the modern era. He holds various records, such as being the only player to score 200 in a One Day International game. The crowning moment of his career was India’s world cup win last year.

2. Kevin Pieterson
Born in South Africa, but playing for England, Pieterson is never without controversy. However, it is his skills with the bat that make him so loved both inside and outside England.

3. Shahid Afridi

The pin up boy for Pakistan cricket, Afridi burst onto the scene 10+ years ago by scoring the fastest 100 (off 37 balls) in cricket history. While he is definitely inconsistent, he has proven himself a regular match winner.

4. Ricky Ponting

One of the greatest servants to Australian cricket. A wonderful batsman and a great skipper in his heyday, Ponting has won everything there was to win with the national team.

5. Jacques Kallis

This veteran South African all rounder is one of the best players in the world, to this day. While he has never won major honors with his country, he is still regarded as a top class performer.