How to knock in a new cricket bat

A new bat needs 4 to 6 hours of knocking-in before it meets a hard leather ball.

1. Apply a light coat of raw linseed oil to the face and edges; let it dry for 24 hours.
2. Knock the face gently with a bat mallet, increasing force over 2 hours.
3. Pay extra attention to the edges and toe, at an angle, never straight on.
4. Play throw-downs with an old ball for 2 to 3 hours.
5. Check for seam marks; if the marks are deep, knock more.
6. Use an anti-scuff sheet to protect the face.

Our Grade 1 bats come machine knocked-in, which saves most of this work.