That Awesome Bat

Star Cricket is a TV channel owned by the espn star company, and as the name suggests is a channel completely devoted to cricket. I am a fan of the channel and its crew, which is quite impressive and needs another post. Among its various innovative programs and shows, one is the Australian Cricket Weekly, which tells you about the happenings down under. Of course, the usual course consists of the county fare, followed by some star reports and some such. But the week last, it took a turn towards the interesting.

Last weeks program consisted of a look at a dying industry as far as the sport is concerned. Handmade bats. The bat maker, showed us the painstaking process of bringing a piece of willow to life. He used primeval tools to shave and shape the bat not unlike those used by the hero in Surf's up. And finally told us what differentiates a handmade bat from a mass produced one. The wedge in the cricket bat is present only n handmade bats and the handle itself is a little asymmetrical to provide extra grip and balance.

The bat maker was the provider of weapons to such renowned bat smiths such as Brian Lara, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist. Nowadays the bats are from huge brands, industry made with exactly cylindrical handles which provide no cutting edge. And more importantly they are no more personal. To top it all off the hand made bats are cheaper....

All this reminded me of my cricketing days. Of the commonly owned team bats, terms such as seasoning and oiling. The need to play in uniform conditions... I was a proud owner of such a bat. I got to be the owner de facto as I was the single largest contributor. The pains we took to service the bat.. The sports shop guy would apply the oil and give it to us. And I would everyday bat with it, hitting the old ball in the sock a billion times to season it and develop the sweet spot. It was an unimaginable crime if somebody played tennis ball cricket with a seasoned bat as it was supposed to ruin it. And no more could somebody throw the bat in frustration..

In the times where the bat is all sweet spot like this one, I think such sentimentalities of the bat have breathed their last. But one can only hope..


P.S: The mongoose has taken the term using the long handle to whole new levels. (sorry couldn't resist)