Damage that may occur
Cricket bats are handcrafted from natural materials and, as a result, are expected to deteriorate during usage. Cricket bat manufacturers have put together the following notes to assist the explanation of certain likely scenarios, which may occur within the life-span of the bat.
Breakage
1. Handle breakage
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: The bat itself is not replaceable but the handle may be repaired at the manufacturer’s discretion.
2. Blade breakage
Cause: Weak or excessively dry willow.
Solution: Potentially replaceable by full or partial credit at the manufacturer’s discretion.
Blade damage
1. Surface cracking to the face of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
2. Surface cracking to the edge of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
3. Surface cracking to the toe area of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear. This type of damage is often caused by the striking of a ‘yorker’ delivery and/or excessive tapping of the crease and is therefore not the fault of the bat.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
4. Split through the toe area of the blade
Cause: This type of damage is caused by the striking of a ball at, or near the base of the blade, e.g. the striking of a ‘yorker’.
Solution: Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
5. Cracking to the shoulder area of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
6. Damage due to misuse of the bat or by accident
Cause: Generally caused by accidentally striking an object other than the ball, stumps for example.
Solution: Not replaceable, may be repairable at the customer’s expense.
7. Moisture damage
Cause: This type of damage occurs as a result of use in damp or wet conditions. It generally leads to swelling of the toe area of the blade, which after drying may well split.
Solution: Not replaceable as there is not a fault in the manufacturing or the materials used. The damage may be repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion and the customer’s cost.
8. Damage due to poor quality cricket balls
Cause: Poor quality or excessively hard cricket balls can be the cause of many types of crack or split damage to the blade of the bat.
Solution: All cricket bat manufacturer’s recommend that only balls of reputable manufacture are used. Use of any other style or type of ball may cause damage to bats and will affect any claim made.