Cricket Bats - History of Cricket bat
Mohan Kumar Subramaniam
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The Cricket in sports has a known history spanning from the 16th century to the present day, with international matches played since 1844, although the official history of international Test cricket started in 1877. During this time, the cricket developed from its origins in England into a sports which is now played professionally in most of the Nations.
1624 - This is the first time that we have any mention of a cricket bat. An inquest was carried out after a fielder was killed. The batsman had tried to prevent him from catching the ball, and had presumably whacked him on the head in the process! Originally bowlers used to bowl the ball underarm. The cricket bat was therefore shaped very much like a hockey stick.
1770's - The laws were changed to allow "length bowling", which was still performed underarm. The cricket bat became roughly parallel with a maximum width of 4.25". This is still the same today. They were extremely heavy, with the "swell" at the bottom.
1820's - Round arm bowling was allowed, instigating more bounce so the cricket bat became lighter with a higher "swell".
1830's - Until this period all cricket bats were one piece willow. However, because of increased breakages and shock as the ball travelled faster, cricket bat makers started to "splice" handles into bats. Handles were either solid willow or ash.
1835 - The length of a cricket bat was restricted to 38", which is still the same today.
1840 - The first recorded use of a "spring" being inserted into the handles of the cricket bat. These were initially whalebone (as used in ladies corsets) and some years later India rubber.
1853 - Thomas Nixon, a Notts cricketer, introduced the use of cane in handle making in cricket bats.
1864 - The laws were altered to allow over- arm bowling so there was a further lightening and more refined shaping of the blade. Handles became intricate constructions and were nearly all made of cane with Indian rubber grips.
1870's - The shape of today's cricket bat evolves.
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yours,
Mohan Kumar Subramaniam
Bangalore
www.Infoog.com/Mohan
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