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Evolution of the Cricket Bat
The bat on exhibit in the Sandham Room at The Oval in London, which is usually considered to be the oldest bat still in existence, is dated 1729.
Some historians assert that 1624 is when the cricket bat was first mentioned in any form. Its initial form was quite similar to a hockey stick.
Children who lived in the Weald, a region of thick forests and clearings in southeast England that spans Kent and Sussex, possibly invented cricket during the Saxon or Norman eras.
Cricket was first explicitly mentioned in writing as an adult activity in 1611, the same year that a dictionary classified the game as a boys’ game.
Bats were only allowed to a maximum length of 38 inches in 1835; this rule is still in use today. In 1840, springs were placed into grips made of whalebone or Indian rubber. Thomas Nixon, a player for Nottinghamshire, invented the use of cane in bat handles in 1853.
King George IV granted Duke and Son the Royal Patent for their cricket balls in 1775. The first six-seam cricket ball was created by them and used during the 1780 cricket season. The cricket bat’s design and the bowling regulations both underwent changes in 1770.
Now, the bottom of the bats had some swell. The introduction of round-arm bowling in the 1820s had an even greater impact on the design of the bat. With a little more swelling, they become lighter.
How has the cricket bat changed over time?
Bats might become lighter while yet being just as powerful by lowering the moisture level of the willow. Despite being lighter than bats used in the 1960s, modern bats feature deeper wells and larger edges.
The SG Legend cricket bat is regarded as having the finest sweet spot today. The bat is equipped with a power drive handle for little to nonexistent hand vibrations and maximum power. Thanks to its high-quality materials, it is also more durable. Except for its cost, the SG cricket bat has no drawbacks.
The Mongoose bat is another bat of comparable quality. The Mongoose bat was disliked by many because they believed it unfairly favored batsmen who preferred to attack.
Because of this, the bat was examined by the BCCI and IPL’s regulating bodies, but it was not outlawed. It is intended to boost bat speed as well as the sweet spot by about 120 percent.
That doesn’t exactly fit the cricket spirit. You have more control over the willow thanks to the monkey bat, which also quickens your swing. When attempting an aggressive shot, the bat speed is really helpful. The bat was created specifically for the T-20 game type.
So what is a sweet spot in a cricket bat?
A player is regarded to have hit the ball in the “sweet spot” of the bat when they make a good contact. According to the sweet spot categorization, that would be a batted ball event with a launch angle between 8 and 32 degrees.
Despite advances in technology and design, the player’s own preferences ultimately determine the choice. Some players, like Clive Lloyd and Graeme Pollock, began utilizing larger bats weighing more over three pounds starting in the year 1960.
We are all aware of Clive Lloyd’s propensity for launching sixes. However, such hefty bats made it difficult for many players to execute hooks, glances, and cuts. Garfield Sobers, who usually used a lighter bat, is a player worth mentioning in this context.
However, Sachin Tendulkar uses a large bat that weighs more over three pounds. His bat features wide profiles, thick edges, and a brief, conventional grip size.
How has the cricket bat changed with the changing needs of the game?
Each bat maker developed fresh techniques by carefully designing scoops, hollows, plugs, and other features. Cricket is becoming more and more popular worldwide.
It is no less than a religion in nations like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.
With the demands of time, the game is evolving quickly. The game is receiving a lot of funding as a result of its rising popularity. In order to score quickly, power striking without sacrificing maneuverability and inventiveness is required.
The game was completely altered by the new format, which was suggested to county chairmen in 2001 by Mr. Stuart Robertson, the ECB’s marketing manager.
Its goal was to provide thousands of cricket fans who were turned off by the lengthy 50-over version of the game with fast-paced, thrilling play that they could easily access.
The changing needs are increased with the new format and so does the support needed from the bats used in the game.
