All cricket bats supplied by VULCAN CRICKET are thoroughly examined before being dispatched, both to a high standard of workmanship and as to their suitability to give a high performance during use.

Cricket bat blades are made from willow which, in it's natural state, is a soft, fibrous wood.

All bats will get some damage when the ball is struck on the edge or the bottom, there is no immunity.

ANTI-SCUFF - EVERY BAT SHOULD HAVE ONE!
anti-scuff is clear, self adhesive plastic based sheet which can be attached to the face of the bat. Anti-scuff is one of the best protectors of bats available today and is in fact used by many Test and County cricketers, despite then getting their bats free of charge. Most professionals now use anti-scuff and fibre tape down each edge of their bats.

QUICK DO'S AND DONT'S
1. DON'T store your bat in a warm place (below 55F is preferable)
2. DON'T leave your bat in it's cover (it cant breathe)
3. DO store in a cool, moist place (garage, laundry, wash room)
4. DO use anti-scuff (all our playing staff use it and our bats are fine. Most pro's use anti-scuff)
5. DON'T hit it too hard with a wooden bat mallet, you will crack the bat before you use it.
6. DON'T hit bat underneath and don't knock in too hard at the bottom of the face (you will push the toe in and leave a crack underneath)
7. DON'T bang or constantly tap your bat on the floor when playing on artificial or indoor wickets (the friction will peel away at the bottom of your bat, opening up the fibre's, therefore we recommend the use of a toe guard.
8. DON'T stand you bat on wet surfaces (the willow will draw up water like blotting paper will swell up at the bottom, when it dries it generally splits open underneath)
9. DON'T use your bat for indoor nets (the floor is very hard and a new bat is more venerable to damage)
10. DON'T ever lend your bat to anyone else.
11. KEEP all receipts

OILING AND KNOCKING IN
DO NOT OVER OIL. Over oiling makes your bat deader, not better. The oil fills the gaps in the fibrous wood and this makes the natural sponginess disappear. Having said this, it is important to sufficiently oil the bottom of the bat to stop any dampness rising up and the fibres of the blade. When the bottom gets dry, put some more oil on again to keep the water out. It is not necessary to oil the back of the bat. DO NOT OIL THE SPLICE OR SHOULDER AREA. The oil loosens the glue on the splice. Knocking in is best done by using a wooden mallet. Do not knock in the toe underneath.  Only hit the face of the bat in the toe area at 90 degrees to the face an do not hit the bottom part of the face too hard.  You will curl the fibres over too much and they will spring back to leave a crack/split under the toe of the bat. Email us for expert advice. YOUR BAT WILL CRACK, IT'S ONLY SOFT WOOD !!


KNOCKED IN BATS !!
STILL NEED KNOCKING IN !!

There is a trend for manufacturers to suddenly decide that they can market certain bats as "Ready To Play" - "Knocked In".  In our experience this is debatable, if it was that easy why didn't they offer this over the last 100 years and why now only certain bats ?  The truth is there is no such thing as a ready to play bat.  You still need to spend time to give extra preparation to these bats to ensure that they are in fact ready to use.   Now if you want your bat knocking in we offer a knocking in service but it is an EXTRA £30 + Postage