Cricket Bat Maintenance: How To Care & Prepare

If you’re passionate about making runs (we’re with you), you need to start creating good maintenance habits for looking after your cricket bat. From casual players to seasoned professionals, looking after your bat will help extend its lifespan and on-field performance. So, let’s look at the steps you can take to maintain your cricket bat properly.

Knocking-in

What is knocking in? It is where you gently and repeatedly hit the face of the bat with a wooden mallet. This process helps compress the fibres in the wood, making it less likely to crack or break when you are using it. We recommend spending 4-5 hours knocking on your bat. Break this down into 20- or 30-min sessions spread over a week to make it less overwhelming.

Oiling

Oil helps protect the wood from external moisture and maintains the natural internal moisture level of the bat. Lightly sand your new, natural-faced bat with 150 grit sandpaper to remove polish, and then lightly oil with cricket bat oil or linseed oil all over the face and the toe using a soft rag or finger. After applying a thin layer of linseed oil to the surface of your bat, let it dry for 24 hours before using it. Find linseed oil at any good cricket shop in Perth.

Regular cleaning

Use a soft cloth to wipe down the surface of your bat after use, to remove any dirt or debris. Avoid using water or cleaning solutions as they can damage the wood.

Storage

When not in use, keep your cricket bat dry, away from direct sunlight and moisture. You can use a bat cover to protect your bat from dust and scratches. Find one from your local cricket bat store in Australia.

Regular inspection

Inspect your cricket bat regularly for any signs of damage, such as cracks or dents. If you notice any damage, get it repaired straight away to prevent it from getting worse. You can sand small cracks with fine sandpaper, sanding with the grain, not against it. Then apply a protective facing or fibreglass tape over the crack.

Consistent cricket bat maintenance is essential for longevity and on-field performance. Following our tips, you can keep your cricket bat in top condition and enjoy using it for a long time.

Meulemans – crazy about cricket

Meulemans Cricket Centre has all the cricket bats, equipment, and gear you need for sale in our cricket shops in Perth. We deliver the best service, prices, and advice possible. Our staff members are keen cricketers who have played the game at professional levels and have a genuine understanding of the equipment we sell.

Pop into one of our stores to try things out; you don’t need to commit to purchasing. Shop online or see us in-store and let us help you find all the gear you need. Browse our full range online, or head to the South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore to view products in-store.

Top Tips For Improving Your Fielding Skills

There are two main ways fielding changes the outcome of a cricket match: saving runs for the team and affecting runouts. How a team field significantly impacts the game, so it is worth investing time to improve your fielding skills. 

Let's look at some tips for improving your fielding skills. There is no substitution for practice, so after reading this article, get out there and play!

Tip 1: Form a long barrier

 Ideally, aim to form a long barrier with your feet to stop the ball in its tracks. Your feet create a significantly larger surface area than if you just bend down, aiming to pick up the ball with your hand when it is rolling at speed.,

Tip 2: Back up your teammates

Ensure you run with other fielders. This way, if they make a mistake or are slower than you to field the ball, you can help them out and save runs for your team.

Tip 3: Practice throwing to hands

Catching is an essential skill, so grab a mate, get out there, and practice throwing to hands – this is different from throwing in their general direction. Focus on and aim for their hands, over and over, until you get it right.

Tip 4: Practice hitting the stumps

For a more challenging effort, practice hitting the stumps. Doing this in training helps improve your natural accuracy. Try from all angles to make it harder. For a real challenge, aim for only one stump.

Tip 5: Stay alert

The most important and the most underrated aspect of fielding is staying alert. Your reaction time can make all the difference, so keep focused.  

General cricket fielding positions

The general cricket fielding positions are slip, gully, point, third man, fine leg, square leg, mid-wicket, mid-on, mid-off, long off, and long on. 

Practice playing each position until you feel confident.

General fielding tips

When the bowler starts their run-up, you must concentrate. If you are the slip, you are getting into a catching stance. Everyone else is walking in with the bowler.  

Let Meulemans help you reach your fielding goals

Fielding requires patience, skill, and plenty of practice. While you focus on that, let Meulemans Cricket Centre take care of the rest. We have you covered with all the cricket equipment and gear, and clothing you need. Pop into one of our stores to try things out; you don't need to commit to purchasing. Shop online or see us in-store, and we'll be delighted to help you find all your cricket clothing in Western Australia.

Browse our full range online, or head to the South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore to view products in-store.

Top Tips For Improving Your Batting Skills

It’s natural to want to get better at the sport you love. We thought we’d share our top tips on how to improve your batting skills in cricket.

Tip No.1

Keep your eye on the cricket ball. This is the most important and often the first forgotten tip! Never take your eyes off the ball when the bowler enters the crease until the ball hits your bat. Track it every moment of its journey.

Tip No.2

Lean slightly forward when preparing to swing and set your intention. Batting is about the intent to score runs off each ball. Put all your energy and focus into hitting the ball. 

Tip No.3

Increase your fitness. The fitter you are, the better you will play. Consider cross-training and combining weight training and speed work. Every cricketer, average or otherwise, should work on their fitness to ensure they’re match-ready.

Tip No.4

 Set small goals. Try to focus on improving one thing at a time. This will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Focus on one aspect of your performance, from your grip to your foot position.

Tip No.5

Know how to get off-strike and where your singles and rotation areas are so you can get off-strike easily and effectively. Practice makes perfect, so get practicing in the nets until it feels natural. 

Tip No.6

Know your strengths. Do what works for you, whether you are a front-foot player or a back-foot player.

Tip No.7

Don’t panic. Stay calm and go back to basics if you notice a dip in form. Shake it off and start again. Practice hitting until you are executing it fluently. Remember, the goal is to score runs, not to get caught up in analyzing your batting technique.

Tip No.8

Focus on your form, as small errors can creep in from poor body positioning in the crease.

Check your: 

Tip No. 9

Step back between balls and take a breath. Improving your batting skills is about managing how you react between swings. 

Tip No. 10

Remember, cricket is fun! We want you to enjoy every moment you spend playing this great game, so don’t forget to have fun while in the crease.

Bats, equipment, and cricket gear

One of the quickest ways to improve your batting skills is by ensuring you have the best equipment possible. At Meulemans Cricket Centre, we are proud to offer an extensive range of cricket bats for sale, suitable for everyone from serious players right down to casual players.

Choose Meulemans

Meulemans Cricket Centre have you covered with all the cricket equipment and gear you’ll need for your next match. Browse our full range online, or head to our South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore for further assistance or to view products in-store.

Cricket Ball Types And How You Use Them

If you are new to cricket, let's find out why we play the world's second-largest game with different types of cricket balls. 

Red Cricket Balls

Traditionally, since the game's inception, red balls have been the ball of choice for playing cricket. However, in 1971, when Once Day International (ODI) games began and play extended into evening hours, it soon became clear that the ball colour needed to change. Test cricket, with its maximum of 90 overs, is almost always bowled in a day, and if the light is good, this can blow out to 98 overs. ODI cricket was divided into 60 overs per innings for both teams, meaning they needed to complete 120 overs in a game. While a red ball looks great during the day, playing with a red ball under floodlights reduces the ball's visibility making game-play difficult and dangerous.

red cricket balls perth

White Cricket Balls

1977 saw the introduction of the white cricket ball to address these issues. White balls are easy to see against a dark sky, improving the viewing experience for the audience. Since 1992, World Cup games have used white balls in both day and night formats. Limited-overs cricket is played with a white ball, while Test cricket uses red balls.

white cricket balls perth

Pink Cricket Balls

2010 saw the introduction of the pink cricket ball into Test cricket for both day and night formats to contrast with players' white clothing and for improved night visibility during day/night Test matches.

pink cricket balls perth

What is the difference between red and pink cricket balls?

Pink balls have a slightly thicker lacquer coating than red balls, allowing them to keep their colour and shine for longer and giving pink balls a more significant initial swing. 

What is the difference between red and white cricket balls?

Red and white balls are different in three main ways:

  1. Stitching: seam threading on the red ball is very close, while the threading on the white is further apart.
  2. Finish: white balls have an incredibly smooth finish. 
  3. Weight: white balls are heavier than red cricket balls

Choose Meuleman's Cricket Centre for your coloured cricket balls

At Meulemans, we aim to deliver our customers the best service, prices, and advice possible. Our staff members are keen cricketers who have played the game at professional levels and have a genuine understanding of the equipment we sell. 

We offer a range of cricket balls from world-renowned brands such as Dukes, Kookaburra, and Gray-Nicholls. If you're looking for cricket balls to help develop and sharpen your skills during practice, look to the range from Gray-Nicholls. Alternatively, if you're an experienced player and know what you want, Dukes and Kookaburra offer a vast assortment of professional game balls – every ball to suit every need.

Contact us for all your cricket ball, cricket training, and cricket equipment needs in Perth. Browse our full range online, or head to our South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore for further assistance.

How To Take Care Of Your New Cricket Bat

Preparation

Oiling is essential for cricket bats. It stops the willow from drying out and greatly reduces the risk of cracking. When first purchased, natural-faced bats should be lightly sanded with 150 grit sandpaper to remove polish and then lightly oiled with cricket bat oil or linseed oil all over the face and the toe using a soft rag or your finger (do not apply oil to the splice as it can weaken the glue). Alternatively, you have the option of applying an Extratec cover which will help to protect the bat in the initial knocking in stage and beyond. The Extratec cover provides extra protection to help guard against general wear and tear. After one season the Extratec should be removed (slowly across the grain) and lightly sanded and oiled. A new Extratec cover can be re-applied once the bat has dried out sufficiently (usually 2-3 weeks).

If you have bought a covered bat, or one fitted with an anti-scuff sheet, less oiling is required, as these bats are able to retain their moisture.

If you are not sure about how much oil to apply, simply ask one of our experienced staff members or bring your bat into one of our stores for some professional assistance.

Knocking-In

Every cricket bat needs to be “Knocked-In”. Some cricket bats claim to be “pre-prepared” in the factory, but this does not mean that the bat is ready for use. A pre-prepared bat will have been oiled, pressed, and lightly knocked-in by hand, but it will still need a minimum of 2-hours knocking-in before it can be used. Bats that are not pre-prepared will need even longer (around 5 to 6 hours).

The more thorough the knocking-in process, the less chance there is of your bat breaking.

Bats purchased at Meulemans will be pre knocked in by hand with a Kangaroo bone with an emphasis on the toe and edges. This will reduce the amount of time needed knocking your bat in.

What is knocking-in a cricket bat?

When you knock in a cricket bat, you compress the fibres of the willow and knit them together. This gives the bat the strength it needs to withstand the impact of a cricket ball. Knocking-in is best done with a cricket bat mallet.

How your bat is knocked-in will have a direct impact on its performance. That’s why bouncing an old ball up and down on the face of the bat is not the best option.

How do I knock-in my cricket bat?

The first thing you’ll need to knock-in your cricket bat, is patience. The second item you’ll need is a cricket bat mallet. You should begin by tapping the blade of the bat (avoiding the handle, back, and splice). You need to keep tapping, gradually increasing the force in all areas of the face where you would normally expect to hit the ball.

You should not hammer the edges at right angles. If done correctly, you should notice that the edges become rounded and compacted the more you knock them in. The ‘ping’ will also improve. At Meulemans, we recommend that you spend 3 or 4 weeks knocking-in your bat.

When you are satisfied that you have completed the knocking-in process, head to the nets and start practising with your bat using high-grade old balls. Face a few balls at a time and then check your bat. If any seam marks or deep indentations appear on the blade, then your bat is not ready for match play and you will need to spend more time knocking-in.

When you have finally completed the knocking-in process, and no seams marks or indentations appear on the blade, your bat is ready for action.

On Going Cricket Bat Maintenance

Cricket bats have varying life spans. To get the most out of your cricket bat it should be correctly knocked-in and regularly oiled.

If you have a covered bat, the cover should be removed during the off-season once a year and oiled. Removing the cover should be done slowly and across the grain then sanded with light sandpaper. If your bat has a natural face, it should be oiled every month to maintain high-performance levels.

Small cracks on the face of a cricket bat are considered natural wear and tear. With a little care, they should not turn into major problems. Small cracks can be sanded with fine sandpaper. You should sand with the grain, not against it, and then apply a protective facing or fibreglass tape over the crack.

Don'ts:

Don’t – expose to extremes of temperature

Avoid – prolonged spells in Car Boots/Trunks/Interiors

Don’t – over-oil. It is more dangerous to over-oil than to under-oil. Over-oiling adds weight, spoils driving power and may cause rot.

Don’t – ever, ever stand the bat in oil.

Don’t – allow the bat to become damp.

Don’t – misuse or treat carelessly off the pitch, for example at nets, or in changing rooms.

Don’t – use cheap hard balls. These will damage the bat.

Don’t – continue to play with a damaged bat; this will aggravate the damage to a point where the bat may be beyond repair.

Do's:

Do – prepare the bat carefully

Do – store the bat in the off-season in a cool dry atmosphere away from excessive heat or damp.

Do – re-oil the bat after any prolonged period of non-use: it’s particularly important to remember to do this prior to using it in pre-season indoor nets.

Do – inspect regularly for damage in play and perform bat repair promptly.

Speed Buddy Bowling Machine

The Speed Buddy cricket bowling machine is complete with accurate feeds up to 90kph. Watch the full review of this bowling machine to learn if it is right for you.

Best Cricket Bats for Casual Players

One of the biggest obstacles that stop more men and women from taking up cricket on a social or casual basis is the cost of cricket gear. Thankfully, however, your love for the game doesn’t have to cost you a fortune!

At Meulemans Cricket Centre, we are proud to offer an extensive range of cricket bats for sale that are suitable for everyone from the serious players right down to those who just want to participate casually.

Check out the best cricket bats for casual players – including Kookaburra cricket bats and Gray Nicolls cricket bats – available in our store.

Kookaburra Ghost 4.0

One of the all-time favourites in the Kookaburra range, the Kookaburra Ghost 4.0 is an outstanding choice for casual players.

With different weights available, the Ghost will serve you just as well in the nets as it will out on the wicket, whether you’re just training to keep up some sharpness or filling in for one of your mate’s teams.

Gray Nicolls Giant

The Gray Nicolls brand is synonymous with the great game of cricket and the Gray Nicolls Giant is a great reminder as to why.

Handcrafted from Select English willow and made in Australia, the Giant lives up to its name and has been made to the limits of the new MCC laws, meaning this one is good to go for competition, as well as your casual hit in the backyard.

Grove S2 Supreme

The Grove S2 Supreme stands out for its full shape and high middle. This beauty feels nice and light in the hands but packs plenty of punch, meaning no matter your level of play, you’ll send bowlers for six.

This bat is available in a wide range of weights and is pre-knocked, meaning it’s good to go out of the packaging.

SS Makers 9000

The SS Makers 9000 comes with a free pre-knock in and oil and in three different weights as well as different sizes, meaning this cricket bat can but customised to your needs.

This all-rounder is a great choice for casual cricket player.

New Balance Heritage

There’s a reason some of the best batsman in the world, such as Steve Smith, Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade, opt for the New Balance bat.

Known for their fierce attacking prowess, the New Balance Heritage packs a great punch at an entry-level price, making it the perfect choice for the casual cricketer looking to make an impact on the scoreboard.

Kookaburra Rapid 4.0

You won’t need to announce your arrival with the Kookaburra Rapid 4.0

Famed for the amazing it sound it produces when it connects with the ball, the Rapid is perfect for the casual cricketer who needs to make an impact.

Made from Grade 5 Unbleached English willow, you’ll be smashing boundaries in no time with this beauty of a cricket bat.

Cricket Bats for Sale at Meulemans Cricket Centre

All of these bats, and many more, are available from our online cricket store!

The 8 Fitness Components of Cricket

As with many other sports, cricket requires its players to have a specific set of skills – and more importantly, a certain level of fitness, to successfully complete a match. Every cricketer, average or otherwise, will need to complete strength and/or conditioning programs to ensure they’re match-ready.

See some easy cricket warm up exercises here.

If you’re hoping to improve your fitness ahead of your next match (or if you’re curious whether your fitness levels are already up to par), here are eight crucial fitness components of cricket.

1. Strength

By having a high level of muscular strength, you’ll be able to help prevent acute injuries, increase muscle mass, and develop your metabolism – which will help you reach and maintain a healthy body weight, therefore helping increase your overall performance during a cricket match.

2. Stamina

In general terms, stamina can be defined as your body’s ability to process, store and utilise energy. This is an essential fitness component of cricket, as during high intensity exercise, you’ll need to use energy as quickly as possible to harness maximum speed, power and strength.

3. Speed

There’s a lot of running involved in a cricket match, so it’s advantageous to work on your speed in between games. If you’re out on the field, you’ll need to execute sharp sprints at short notice, so it’s best to practice quick stops and starts if training for speed. You’ll also need to run when batting, so complete a few short distance running drills to ensure you’ll be speedy enough when the time comes to make runs.

4. Coordination

To play cricket, you’ll need to throw, catch, bowl and hit the ball. These coordination-based skills take a lot of practice, so this is perhaps the most basic and essential fitness component involved in the overarching cricket playing process.

5. Accuracy

In multiple positions on the field, you’ll need to throw a cricket ball with extreme accuracy. Similar to ‘coordination’, ‘accuracy’ can be easily achieved with plenty of repeated practice. To do so, practice throwing a ball in a specific direction (for example, a target on the wall), and continue until you reach a streak of ‘on target’ throws.

6. Power

Muscular power refers to the ability to produce your maximum amount of force at the drop of a hat. Similar to ‘speed’, ‘power’ as a fitness component can be trained using quick stop-start methods. You can also try power weight lifting or running with resistance.

7. Endurance

Endurance is a fitness component that can greatly improve your performance in a cricket match. It refers to your cardiovascular and respiratory systems gathering and delivering oxygen to your tissues and muscles. As cricket matches can last for hours at a time, a healthy level of endurance is essential to stay on your feet.

8. Flexibility

Flexibility refers to the range of motion of your joints and muscles – and for cricket, it’s desirable to have increased flexibility. To improve yours, incorporate flexibility-based stretches into your workouts or warm up sessions before a match.

Enjoy this great game with products from Meulemans Cricket Centre

Meulemans Cricket Centre have you covered with all the cricket equipment and gear you’ll need for your next match. Browse their full range online, or head to their South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore for further assistance, or to view products in-store.

Gray Nicolls Cobra Bat Review

Stuart Kranzbuhler from Gray Nicolls reviews this great bat that is now available in our store. Features an extremely low profile great for front foot players.

5 Of The Best Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is one of the most internationally beloved sports – and as a result, there are hundreds of prolific cricketers that have gained popularity and acclaim over the last century.

If you’re relatively new to the sport of cricket and want to learn a bit more about the sport’s most celebrated legends, here are five of the best cricketers of all time, from across the globe. Let’s take a step back in time and learn about what they’re famous for.

Sir Don Bradman

Sir Don Bradman is undeniably one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Bradman had a test batting average of 99.94, played 52 international matches for Australia, and made his first century when he was just 12 years old, playing for Bowral school in the 1920/21 season.

Bradman captained “The Invincible” Australian team in the formidable 1948 tour of England, and was named the “Greatest Living Australian” by former Prime Minister John Howard. Though he passed in 2001, in 2009, Bradman was at last inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is a former Indian cricketer who became the only player to score one hundred international centuries in his 24-year career. He was also the only player to achieve more than 30,000 runs in international cricket, and has been ranked the second greatest test batsmen of all time, behind Sir Don Bradman.

Sir Viv Richards

A renowned right-handed batsman, former West Indian cricketer Sir Viv Richards is one of the game’s most athletically exciting batsmen in history. He scored 8,540 runs in 121 test matches, and was awarded by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in 2002 for the best ODI innings of all time.

Allan Border

A former Australian cricketer, Allan Border holds the world record for the highest number of consecutive test appearances, with 153 international matches. Border scored 27 centuries throughout his career – and when he retired, he was the highest-run scorer in both test and ODI matches. Following his retirement, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2000.

W.G. Grace

Debuting in 1859, former English cricketer W.G. Grace played cricket for a record 44 seasons from 1865 to 1908. During his lengthy career, he captained England, Gloucestershire, Marylebone Cricket Club and a number of other teams. His statistics are incredibly impressive: he scored 54,896 runs in 878 first class matches, and scored 1,098 runs in 22 test matches while captaining the English national team.

He was incredibly athletic, and besides cricket, he was also a champion hurdler and showed an aptitude for gold.

Enjoy this great game with products from Meulemans Cricket Centre

Meulemans Cricket Centre have you covered with all the cricket gear and equipment you’ll need to level up your ability and make an impression the next time you hit the field. Browse their full range online, or head to their South Perth Store or Joondalup Megastore for further assistance, or to view products instore.