Complete Cricket Bat Maintenance Guide for Beginners

Taking care of your cricket bat off the field helps it last through multiple seasons. Whether you have an old bat or are preparing a new one to use, properly maintaining it only adds a few extra steps to your routine. We talked to cricket coach Zendon Verster to find out everything you need to know about maintenance and storage to keep your bat safe, plus when it’s time to replace it.

Cricket Bat Basic Maintenance Checklist

Cricket coach Zendon Verster says to do these things to help your cricket bat last longer:

Knock in a new cricket bat to protect it from breaking.
Keep your cricket bat in a padded cover when you’re not using it.
Put a toe guard on the bottom of the bat to keep it from breaking.
Put a scuff sheet on your bat and wipe it down after you use it.
Check your bat regularly for damage, and have it repaired or replaced if needed.

Section 1 of 7:

Maintenance for a New Cricket Bat

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1
Apply linseed oil to your bat. Oiling your cricket bat seals moisture into the wood so it’s less likely to dry out and get damaged. Lay the bat horizontally and apply a coin-sized amount of linseed oil to the face. Spread a thin layer of oil over the bat’s face with your fingers. Then, flip the bat over and apply another coin-sized amount of oil to the backside and edges.^{[1]
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- Leave your bat face-up horizontally for 24 hours so the oil absorbs into the wood.
- Apply a second layer of oil to the surface and let it sit for another 1-2 days so it has time to dry out.
- If you don’t want to use your fingers, then spread the oil with a lint-free cloth.
- Avoid applying oil around the handle or bottom edges because it could cause damage over time.
- Using too much oil can soften your bat too much and make it more prone to damage.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Zendon Verster is a cricket coach and co-founder of CoachCricXI, the largest online cricket coaching platform. He also played professional cricket for several years.
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Hit the bat face with a mallet to knock it in. Verster says that knocking in a bat hardens it so it won’t break when you use it. He says you can take it to a company to do it for you, or you can use a mallet to do it yourself.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Zendon Verster
Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI

Expert Interview} To knock the bat in with a mallet, hold the bat firmly in one hand, then start gently tapping the face of the bat with the mallet. Move up and down the length of the bat, hitting the wood harder as you go. Be sure to focus on the edges and toe of the bat the most because that’s where it’s most vulnerable.^{[3]
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- Verster says, "When you get a cricket bat, it can come in two ways… pre-prepared or unprepared. When it’s unprepared, it means the wood is still very soft, and when you hit a cricket ball, it’ll leave dents [that] could damage the bat.” He adds that knocking it in will “compress the top section of the wood to make it a bit harder so that it’ll last longer.”^{[4]
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- Plan on knocking in your bat for a total of 4-5 hours for an adult bat, or 2-3 hours for a junior bat.^{[5]
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- Try hitting a cricket ball with your bat. If the ball leaves an indent, go back and knock your bat in for a little longer.
- If your bat is pre-prepared: Verster says even if your bat is pre-prepared, it’s a good idea to hit rubber cricket balls with it for a while before using it to hit cricket balls. “They still have some weight, but they’re not as dense and compact as a cricket ball, so they do not damage the bat.”^{[6]
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  Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI
  
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Apply anti-scuff sheets, edge tape, and toe guards. Anti-scuff sheets, edge tape, and toe guards all protect the wood from marks, scuffs, and light damage. While they’re not required on your bat, they all preserve your bat so it lasts through multiple seasons.
- Anti-scuff sheets: Trace the shape of your bat onto the anti-scuff sheet’s backing paper, and cut it out with scissors. Slowly peel the backing paper off and press the sheet onto the face of your bat. Smooth the sheet out to remove any bubbles.^{[7]
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  - Verster agrees that anti-scuff sheets are a must: “The raw wood is a nice look, but it’s easier to clean the scuff sheet than to have to sand the wood down all the time to get it nice and clean.”^{[8]
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- Edge tape: Cut a strip of edge tape to the length of the bat’s edge. Press the tape firmly onto the wood and smooth out any bubbles.^{[9]
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- Toe guard: Heat the toe guard with a hair dryer so it’s more flexible and easier to move. Apply a thin layer of super glue to the toe of the bat and press the toe guard on firmly.^{[10]
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  - This is another essential that Verster recommends: “If your bat does not have a toe guard, put a toe guard on.” He says this will protect the bottom section of the bat. “It’s the section that takes the most damage overall because a lot of players like to bash it into the ground to generate a form of rhythm.”^{[11]
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    Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI
    
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- Binding: Verster also recommends having binding put on your bat. This will help “protect the handle section or the shoulder of the bats,” which are areas where bats tend to break.^{[12]
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  Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI
  
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Section 2 of 7:

Regular Cricket Bat Maintenance

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Clean off dirt and marks with a damp microfiber cloth. Verster says that throughout the cricket season, “clean the surface [of your bat] as much as you can.”^{[13]
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Zendon Verster
Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI

Expert Interview} Scuffs and marks are bound to happen when you hit a ball, but they’re simple to clean. Dampen a microfiber cloth and wring out all the excess water. Gently wipe your bat to remove dirt from the surface. For any tougher marks, apply a little pressure to scrub them off.^{[14]
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- Use a dry cloth to remove any excess moisture that’s left on your bat. Leaving moisture on your bat could soften the wood or cause damage.
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Inspect your bat for damage after each use. Whenever you’re done using your bat, look it over for any cracks, nicks, or loose pieces. If you notice some smaller cracks or superficial damage to your bat, you may be able to repair it on your own. Otherwise, contact a sporting goods store or the bat’s manufacturer to see if it can be repaired.^{[15]
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- Jump to our section on repairs you can make at home.

Section 3 of 7:

How to Properly Store a Cricket Bat

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Store your bat inside a protective cover in a cool, dry place. Whenever you’re not using your bat, put it in a case or cover to prevent damage. Find a place that maintains consistent temperatures and is out of direct sunlight, such as a closet. Lay the bat horizontally with the face pointing up.^{[16]
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- Verster recommends keeping your cricket bat in a padded cover. “Most cricket bats come with one,” he says. But if yours doesn’t have one, he says you can also use a thick, long socks, like the ones hockey players wear.^{[17]
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  Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI
  
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- If you don’t have the space to store your cricket bat horizontally, it’s okay to store it vertically too. Just set it so the handle points up.
- Avoid storing your cricket bat outdoors or in an area with frequent humidity changes, like a basement, garage, or attic.

Section 4 of 7:

How to Make a Cricket Bat Last Longer

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Oil your bat at the start and end of each season. To keep your bat from drying out and getting brittle, apply a thin layer of linseed oil before your first use and after your last use. Always let the oil sit for 24 hours so it soaks into the wood, and then apply a second coat.^{[18]
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- If you put anti-scuff sheets on your bat, still apply some linseed oil to the back.
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Replace your grip and scuff guards when they’re worn out. The more you play, the more your grips and scuff guards will wear down and become less effective. When you notice the guards and grips breaking apart, remove the old ones and replace them with a fresh set.
- Grip: Roll the old grip up toward the end of the handle to remove it. Place the new grip onto a bat cone and roll it up toward the other end. Slide the rolled grip onto your bat handle, and unroll it.^{[19]
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- Scuff guards: Heat the scuff guards up with a hair dryer or heat gun, and slowly peel them off the surface. Wipe your bat with a damp cloth, and dry it before applying a new sheet.^{[20]
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Pick up an extra bat or two if you’re able to, so that you have a few options to choose from. Rather than using one bat until it breaks or wears down, alternate which bats you use. Use one bat just for training and practicing, and use the other when you actually play a game.

Section 5 of 7:

Can you repair a damaged cricket bat?

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You can repair minor cracks on your bat. Minor cracks on the front of your bat are usually superficial and won’t affect your performance. However, you can still easily repair them with a little repair glue, such as wood glue or super glue:^{[21]
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- Spread the glue underneath the cracked or delaminated wood using a syringe or your fingers.
- Tape the wood down with packing tape.
- Clamp a flat piece of wood over the glued area.
- Let the glue set for the time listed on the packaging.
- Lightly sand the surface with 180-grit sandpaper until it’s smooth.
- Apply linseed oil to the wood and let it sit for 24 hours.
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Check if professional repairs can fix heavy damage. If your bat has a lot of structural damage or you don’t feel confident repairing it on your own, contact a sporting goods store or the bat’s manufacturer. They may be able to do larger repairs or even send you a replacement.^{[22]
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- If your bat cannot be repaired, then it’s time to get a replacement.
- Verster says that a good professional can repair most damage to a cricket bat, including surface cracks and breaks along the toe and handle. However, he adds that splice breaks, when the bat splits in half near the top of the handle, usually can’t be repaired.^{[23]
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Section 6 of 7:

When to Replace a Cricket Bat

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Get a new bat if it vibrates or has less power when you use it. Verster says, “We’ve got this thing called ‘when the bat’s dead,’ which does not happen very often. When a bat’s dead… it's lost its innate ping. When you hit the ball, the ball just goes nowhere. As soon as that happens, it’s probably a good point to retire the bat and get a new one.”^{[24]
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Zendon Verster
Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI

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- Verster says you should also replace the bat if it’s severely damaged.^{[25]
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  Cricket Coach, CoachCricXI
  
  Expert Interview} As a good rule of thumb, if you have to pay more than half the bat’s price for repairs, it’s best to just get a new one.
- Also, says Verster, replace the bat if you’ve grown out of it—he says that playing with the correct size cricket bat is extremely important.^{[26]
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- When you get a new bat, make sure you oil and knock it in before using it so it lasts a long time.

Section 7 of 7:

Common Cricket Bat Maintenance Mistakes

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Over-oiling your bat can actually soften the wood and make it more prone to damage when you’re playing. Stick to using a coin-sized amount, and always wipe up the excess when you’re finished.
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Harsh or abrasive cleaners Harsh and abrasive cleaners can damage the wood on your bat, so it’s best to completely avoid them. Stick to using a damp microfiber cloth to remove marks.
- If there are still scuff marks, try lightly sanding the surface with 180-grit sandpaper to remove the mark. Just be sure to apply linseed oil to the spot you sanded.
Storing your cricket bat in an area with high humidity or frequent temperature changes can cause the wood to warp. Always make sure to find a well-ventilated spot with consistent temperatures to keep your bat safe and sound.