All KG cricket bats are made of soft fibrous piece of willow possessing its own individual characteristics. The playing life of your bat relates directly to the preparation (Knocking In), Maintenance and care of the bat throughout its life. We have put together the following guidelines to assist you in getting the best out of your bat.


Choosing a Bat  

When looking at a new bat, balance or pick up of the bat is most important point to note.
It is the balance and pick up of the bat, which really counts in play rather than its weight on weighing scale. 

Knocking-In

Knocking In is the process by which the fibers of the willow in the face and edges are compressed and knitted together to form a strong outer resistance and a shield to the impact of cricket ball. The Knocking –In process should be done carefully and thoroughly as the life and the performance of your cricket bat is determined by it to a large extent.  

Step I 
The bat should be struck on its face and edges using ball mallet or quality old ball. Increase the force gradually until the blow is as hard as a ball hits in a game.

Step II  
Use the bat in nets or to hit short catches with an old quality ball. This step should perform for at least two hours. Then test the bat against newer quality balls. If there are seam marks or dents

One must return to step I for further knocking. However if there are no seam marks on the blade then it is ready for use in matches.

(The bat should be properly knocked-In for at least 10 days before its use in match) 

Oiling the bat (Natural faced bats)  

After a period of use a bat may start to show signs of dryness making some of the surface cracks protrude. When this happens just give the bat light sanding removing extra dirt from the surface. Then apply very light coating of raw-linseed oil or special cricket bat oil onto hitting areas of the blade. Allow the bat to lie horizontally. Another two coatings of the oil on the bat should be sufficient. The main purpose of oiling is to maintain moisture levels within the blade.

Maintenance of cricket bat
Surface cracks
These are small cracks, which appear on all bats after a period of use. Their appearance on a new bat is direct result of the bat being under prepared i.e. not properly knocked-in or may be due to use of low quality, hard cricket balls. All bats will show surface cracks, THIS IS NORMAL. The main aim of knocking is to delay these cracks for as long as possible.

Edge Cracks
These cracks are not results of faulty workmanship or defective willow. They appear due to use of under prepared bat or mistimed strokes during the play. Some times such strokes are unavoidable and therefore it is wise to take precautions.  

Both the above problems can be minimized by application of protective sheets to face and edges of the bat.
Cracking of the Toe
All bats are designed for the ball to be hit 12cms to 20cms from the bottom, and within the sweet spot of the blade. Toe is not as thick as the sweet spot of the bat and is hence more prone to damage. Striking of a ball at the base of the bat e.g causes cracking of the toe Hitting a Yorker. Such damaged caused must be immediately treated with application of some strong fast drying glue.

As a gesture of goodwill towards our customers we also undertake repair jobs on such bats Free Of Cost. Contact your dealer you originally purchased the bat from, who shall then forward the same for examination to the factory.  

Warrantees
The warrantee offered by THE CRICKET BAT MANUFACTURERS is a gesture of goodwill towards their customers that results in replacement or cost free repair of a bat. It should be noted that all cricket bats are made of soft fibrous piece of willow, it is expected that the condition of a bat will deteriorate during its usage. We at KG try to put our efforts best to offer you the cricket bats that are much more than the very best. One must note that because all natural materials go into making of a bat and due to violet impacts incurred during the play no manufacturer actually gives warranty against damage or breakage of a cricket bat. We have put together the following situations that may occur during the lifespan of any cricket bat.

Damage to the Blade
A bat is designed for the ball to be hit 12cms to 20cms from the bottom, and within the sweet spot of the blade. Mistimed or Mis-hit strokes can cause damaged to the edges and toe. Such bats are NOT REPLACEABLE and are repairable at manufacturer’s discretion.

Surface Cracks
Such cracks are not result of faulty workmanship or defective willow. This is caused due to general wear and tear during the usage. All bats will show surface cracks, THIS IS NORMAL.

Such bats are not replaceable but repairable at manufacturer’s discretion. Such problems can be minimized by application of protective sheets to the face and edges of the bat.

Cracking of the Toe
Cracking of the toe is caused by striking of a ball at the base of the bat i.e. hitting a Yorker or due to playing on wet surfaces or by using low quality hard balls. Such bats are not replaceable and are repairable at manufacturer’s discretion.

Cracking of the Shoulder
Such damage is caused due to general wear and tear of the bat during its usage. Such bats are not replaceable but are repairable at manufacturer’s discretion.

Handle breakage
Breakage of handle may occur due to general wear and tear or due to striking of the ball during play. The handle is repairable or replaceable at manufacturer’s discretion, but bat itself is not replaceable.

Damage due to Dampness
Playing in wet conditions can result in layered cracks and swelling of the toe area, which can cause splitting of the toe on drying. Such bats are repairable but not replaceable.
Breakage of the blade
Breakage of the new bat during play (Even after following the prescribed guidelines for preparing the bat for use) is potentially replaceable at manufacturer’s discretion.  

Breakage of the blade due to misuse  
Such bats are repairable at the customers cost and are NOT REPLACEABLE.  
Damage due to use of low quality cricket balls  
Low quality hard cricket balls can cause swear damage to the bat. Such bats are NOT REPLACEABLE and are repairable at manufacturer’s discretion.  
All such bats should be given to your dealer you originally purchased the bat from, who shall then forward the same for examination to the factory.