Originally, there were no rules regarding the sizes and shapes of cricket bats. There were only agreements between gentlemen regarding width and size. Initially any given bat was heavy in the base and light in the shaft. They looked similar to modern hockey sticks.
In the eighteenth century, another rule came into being: that the maximum width of a bat was four and a quarter inches. This happened because in 1774, a player named Shock White created a bat that was as wide as the stump itself.
An early bat could easily be shattered or broken. This is because they were were all made from single lengths of wood. Then, in 1830, a separate handle was added to the bat, making it sturdier and stronger. After four years, a new regulation was developed. This limited the length of the bat to thirty-eight inches.
The earliest wood decided on for a bat was the English Willow Wood. This was strong but considered light enough to use. Before this, any wood was used. The weight of an English Willow Wood instrument was approximately five pounds.
Later, instead of the heartwood of the tree, the sapwood was used. This created a bat that was far lighter than the others – less than half the weight, in fact. In 1920, people started preferring a slightly heavier bat again, though, for power and so that it could last longer.
Nowadays, manufacturers have found even more ways to improve the old designs. Some cricket bats are built with core power areas, massively increasing the output of power if balls are hit just right. Other designs use heavier shafts with the feel of lighter ones. These enable fast swinging. Unfortunately, they can only last for about 1000 runs.
If you want to know more about Cricket Bats and their history, or see some modern examples, visit your local Cricket Shop.
