Cricket

How to Care for Your Cricket Bat: Oiling, Knocking and Storage

Oiling, knocking in and storage - the complete care routine to protect your willow and make your cricket bat last for seasons.

Instasport Admin

• 3 min read
SG Smart Willow 2.0 English willow cricket bat care oiling and knocking in

How to care for your cricket bat: oiling, knocking and storage

Knowing how to care for your cricket bat – oiling, knocking in and storing it properly – is what separates a bat that lasts several seasons from one that cracks in a few innings. Willow is a natural material that needs preparation and protection. Whether you have just bought a new blade or want to extend the life of your current one, this guide walks through every step.

Oiling your cricket bat

Oiling keeps the willow fibres supple and less likely to crack, and it comes before knocking in – you want the wood conditioned before you start compressing it. Use only raw linseed oil; olive and vegetable oils contain additives that go rancid and can damage the fibres. Apply two to three teaspoons to the face, edges and back in light, even strokes. Crucially, never oil the splice (the V-shaped join where the handle meets the blade) or any stickered area – oil there weakens the glue and can loosen the handle.

Lay the bat flat to dry for around 24 hours so oil does not pool at the toe. A new bat needs two to three light coats before first use; after that, a thin coat every three to six months – especially before and after the season – is plenty. Over-oiling is as harmful as none at all, so keep coats thin.

Knocking in your bat

Knocking in compresses and hardens the surface fibres so the bat can survive repeated ball impact. Using a bat mallet or an old ball in a sock, work the face and especially the edges and toe with gradually increasing force over several short sessions across several days – willow benefits from settling time between sessions. Once the surface copes with firm mallet work without denting, test it with gentle underarm throw-downs and controlled defensive shots before facing full-pace bowling. Rushing this stage is the most common cause of early cracking.

Storing your cricket bat correctly

Willow hates extremes. Damp spaces like sheds and garages encourage swelling and mould, while dry heat from radiators or direct sun pulls out moisture and makes the blade brittle. Store your bat in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature (around 15–22°C) away from sunlight, heat sources and damp corners. A good cricket kit bag (₹714) with a padded bat sleeve protects it in transit and between games. Check the toe and edges periodically for small cracks and address them early with a bat repair or anti-scuff sheet.

Start with a quality blade

Good care extends the life of any bat, but starting with quality willow helps. English willow bats such as the SG Hi-Score Xtreme English Willow (₹11999) or the premium SG Smart Willow 2.0 (₹13599) reward proper oiling and knocking in with years of performance.

Shop the gear

Frequently asked questions

What oil should I use on a cricket bat?

Use only raw linseed oil, which is processed for treating wood. Olive and vegetable oils contain additives that go rancid and can damage the willow. Apply two to three thin coats on a new bat, then a light coat every three to six months.

How long does it take to knock in a cricket bat?

Proper knocking in takes several short sessions over several days, gradually increasing force and paying special attention to the edges and toe. Test with gentle throw-downs before facing full-pace bowling. Rushing it is the main cause of early cracking.

How should I store my cricket bat?

Keep it in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature (around 15-22 degrees C), away from direct sunlight, radiators and damp corners. Store it in a padded kit bag and check the toe and edges for small cracks periodically.