Looking after a tennis ball cricket bat

Tennis ball cricket bats do not need knocking in. Keep the bat dry, tape the toe before it frays, and never use it on a wet ground or against a leather ball — those three habits are worth more than any oiling routine.

Knocking in: not required

Knocking in exists to compress the face against a hard leather ball. A tennis ball never applies that kind of point load, so the hours of mallet work you read about are simply not relevant here. Any shop insisting otherwise is selling you a service.

Water is the real enemy

Wood swells, the grain lifts, and the toe goes soft. Do not play on a wet outfield, do not leave the bat in a car boot, and dry it properly if it does get wet.

Tape the toe early

The toe takes most of the punishment on concrete and tar. A wrap of fibre tape before it starts fraying will add seasons to the bat. Once it splits, the damage is done.

The grip is a consumable

A worn grip changes how the bat feels and makes you grip harder than you need to. Replace it once or twice a season; it costs very little.

What we cover

Wood splitting on its own or a handle coming loose is a manufacturing fault and we will replace it — three months on the Toss Power X line. Normal wear from playing, or damage from a wet ground or the wrong ball, is not covered, and we would rather say that plainly than in small print.