How to Oil and Break in a New Cricket Bat

Last Updated: September 15, 2021

This article will teach you how to get the best performance and life out of your new bat. If you follow these steps, you will have a great bat with a terrific centre that should last for years.

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You can use a rag or your fingers. Do not put any oil within 25mm of the splice (where the handle joins the blade of the bat). Cover the edges and heel of the bat and about 40 mm in from the edges on the back of the bat. You want the oil on the face of the bat drawn into the face. This will not happen to the same extent if you coat the entire back of the bat and seal the wood. If you cover the entire back, you will end up with a dead bat compared to a well seasoned match ready one. ^{[2]
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Put some packing underneath the bat so it doesn’t tip to one side and allow the oil to drain off. Repeat the same process for at least 3 days. Check the amount of oil left on the face each day. If it has all been absorbed, give it another coat. Leave for 2 days laying flat. Wipe off any remaining oil after this time. ^{[3]
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Spend about half an hour or more a day for a week tapping the face and edges of the bat with the mallet. This will compress the wood on the face of the bat. Begin hitting relatively softly and increase each day. Make sure you cover the entire face evenly. Pay particular attention to the edges and near the edges on the back of the bat where you have oiled. This will make sure that the edges are less likely to be damaged when you first begin using the bat. ^{[4]
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Take it to practice and use it for short fielding practice (use an old ball) a couple of times, then longer fielding practice. Over the next couple of weeks use it in the nets (starting with an older ball and softer strokes).
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At the end of the season use 220 grit sandpaper , lightly sand the face, edges and heel to remove dirt, marks and most importantly any dried linseed oil off the bat and then re-coat once as previously described. Leave flat overnight, wipe off any excess and store in a bat cover over the off season.
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Lightly sand again to remove any dried linseed oil and re-coat with linseed oil a couple of weeks prior to using the bat next season. You may need to give the bat more than one coat. Check the amount of oil left on the face the next day. If it has all been absorbed, give it another coat.

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Question

Should I use cooking oil for my new bat?

Community Answer

No, you cannot.

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Question

Is it possible to break a bat while oiling it?

Community Answer

Yes, if excessive oiling is done, or a wrong type of oil is used, or even if the part of the blade where the handle is fitted into the blade is oiled, it may break the bat.

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How much time should I let my bat lay after oiling?

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After oiling, make sure that the oil is completely absorbed. Then you can apply the second coating.

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Tips

Also, it's recommended to have a toe guard on your bat, so try to get one from your local sports shop to increase the life of your bat.

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Don't rush the process. If you are paying somewhere between $200 to $700 for your bat, it makes sense to do it properly.

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Use a microfiber lintless cloth for applying the oil.

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Warnings

Avoid getting linseed oil in your eyes as it irritates the eyes. If you do get it in your eyes, flush eyes with water for 15 minutes. Seek medical aid if necessary.

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Wash your hands with warm, soapy water afterward.

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How to Oil and Break in a New Cricket Bat

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