Cricket Bat Care & Maintenance

OILING

If you have had your bat knocked in by Fantail Cricket, please move to the ‘Match Ready’ step if you haven’t, please read the following.

It needs two coats of Linseed oil before you start knocking in your new Fantail bat. Oiling the bat both protects and moistens the new wood. To do this, you require raw linseed oil. Apply the oil lightly with your fingers. Carefully apply the oil to the face, edge, toe, and back of the bat, avoiding any stickers or the splice of the bat. After oiling each time, place the bat horizontally to dry. Please be careful not to saturate or over-oil the bat.

KNOCKING IN

Once you have oiled your bat, you can start the knocking-in process. With your specialised bat mallet, repeatedly hit the blade with even blows across the length and width. Start with light to medium knocks, gradually increasing the power of the knock. Pay special attention to the edges and toe of the bat, which should be struck at 45 degrees to the blade and use lighted strokes. This will help harden and slightly round the edges to protect them from chipping. Also, be careful hitting towards the toe area, as this is a very fragile area of the bat; hence, light strokes should be used. Knocking-in takes patience, and roughly 2-3 hours should be adequate. Do not try to knock on the edge of the bat at 90 degrees to the blade, the back of the bat (which is in contact with the ground) or the splice area.

MATCH READY

Before using your new Fantail bat for match play, we recommend using it for light net sessions with an old cricket ball to assess whether it is ready to play. Start with a slow pace and slowly build up. Should small seam indentations or fine cracks appear, return to knocking in with an old ball, as the blade is not ready yet. Repeat this process until the issue stops occurring.

SURFACE CRACKS

It is natural for your cricket bat to develop surface cracks during normal usage. Surface cracks may appear more frequently with the age of the bat and are a sign of maturity. This does not affect the performance of your cricket bat, and some cracking is expected. We recommend using a facing and/or fibreglass tape or liquid super glue, which helps reduce surface cracking and increase the longevity of your Fantail bat. Should you be concerned about surface cracking, please get in touch with us or drop it off for repair.

LIFESPAN OF A CRICKET BAT

Being made of natural material, there is no definite time frame for your bat to last.

When selecting your grade of willow, please keep in mind that usually, the higher/more expensive willow has a shorter lifespan than a lower/cheaper grade of willow. This is due to a narrow grain structure breaking down quicker than a wider one, and lower-density bats generally don't last as long as a higher-density bat.

In summary, the additional cost you spend on the willow grade is for performance, not longevity.

To obtain the maximum life and performance, please adhere to the care and preparation instructions. Constantly monitor the blade of your bat, maintain it correctly, and store it correctly, especially in moist or wet environments. We highly recommend having a toe guard, facing on your bat, and getting an annual service.

IN CASE OF DAMAGE

Should your bat suffer damage, please remove it from play immediately and consult Fantail Cricket or a cricket specialist for repair. Damage should be fixed immediately without continuing to play.

STORAGE

Please ensure you store your bat correctly, especially in the offseason. We recommend that you store your bat in a cool, dry area away from excessive temperature changes. Your Fantail bat should not be left in warm areas, e.g., in front of heaters, in-car boots, etc., as this may promote drying out or warping of the wood, which may lead to further problems.

WARRANTY

We offer a 12-month limited warranty against the faults listed below on Fantail Bats. Warranty repairs caused by reasonable use of the Fantail Cricket bat carried out within this period are free, though there is typically a return postage and packing charge.

Subsequent repair and servicing are chargeable. Reasonable use involves, and is limited to, the use of the Fantail Cricket cricket bat to hit balls specifically designed for use in cricket. A free replacement will be offered if the Fantail Cricket cricket bat is deemed unrepairable due to the accepted faults listed below within 12 months. Fantail Cricket Ltd reserve the right to renege on this warranty if they believe that the bat has been used in ways not deemed reasonable. Fantail Cricket Ltd also reserves the right to renege on this warranty if labels were removed or chosen not to be applied. No cash refunds will be offered, and the customer will bear the postage costs relating to the return of bats.

Should you believe a warranty claim necessary, the product must be returned to us for inspection. Proof of purchase is required for any claim to be valid. 

The warranty period does NOT include the following;

  • Misuse
  • Insufficient knocking in and preparation prior to use
  • Superficial cracking
  • Superficial denting 
  • Damaged/Broken edges, face or toe, or excessive use
  • Bats used against bowling machines are not returnable as these machines especially damage them.
  • Damage due to moisture and or dirt

The warranty period does include the following;

  • Shoulder cracking
  • Handle cracks
  • Splice cracks
  • The blade breaking in half laterally
  • Damage due to storm damage

In the case of a replacement product, the remaining warranty period on the existing product will only be carried over to the replacement bat.