| You should oil your new cricket bat using linseed oil | | | | your bat in direct sunlight or rooms in your house |
| before you begin to it knock-in. | | | | where there are artificially high temperatures, as this |
| Firstly lightly sand the surfaces of the cricket bat | | | | will cause the bat to dry out. |
| with a fine grade of sand paper. Then apply 2-3 light | | | | At the end of the season if is often worth applying |
| coats of oil to all exposed surfaces of the bat, | | | | another light coat of linseed oil and again at the start |
| allowing sufficient time for the bat to dry between | | | | of the next season. But don?t over oil as you may |
| coats, usually overnight. | | | | end up weakening the willow. |
| It?s best to avoid oiling your cricket bat if it already | | | | If you take good care of your cricket bat it should |
| has an artificial coating. Also don?t stand the bat in oil | | | | easily last at least 3-4 seasons. However if you |
| as this can cause the bat to soften and be more | | | | mistreat it and don?t care for it, it will be much more |
| prone to damage. | | | | prone to damage. It is normal however to get |
| Once you have oiled your bat and it has dried out, | | | | surface cracks on any cricket bat, even new bats, |
| you can then begin to knock-in your new cricket bat. | | | | these are easily repaired with tape or glue and |
| After a match always check over your bat for signs | | | | shouldn?t affect the quality of the bat. |
| of damage, such as cracking or splitting of the wood. | | | | But if a major split does occur it?s worth contacting |
| You can repair damage by sanding and cleaning the | | | | your supplier, as they may send it back to the |
| damaged area, then using super glue or cricket bat | | | | manufacturer, who will often repair it or send you a |
| tape to repair any small surface cracks. | | | | new one. However if it is clear the bat has been |
| During the off season, avoid storing your new cricket | | | | mistreated, it?s unlikely they will repair or replace it. |
| bat in a dry/warm location. Particularly avoid storing | | | | |