Banned !
Revolution in the cricket is not unheard of and the bats haven’t remained far behind too in the race. Certainly, these days even mishits and edges clear the fence comfortably for a six. This is enough to give an idea of the strength of the modern bats.
With the International cricket chiefs have forbidden hi-tech cricket bats, to provide an equal battle between the ball and bat. Bowlers around the world will get a breather, with the odds highly tilted in favor of batsman. The move follows the development of bats that use materials such as graphite and titanium in their lightweight handles, giving extra power to batsmen. “The new rule changes will ensure bat handles are made with cane, wood, twine and rubber”, according to a statement from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
The new laws, passed with overwhelming 98.6 percent support, were designed to give a good contest between bat and ball, amidst complains that the game is becoming predictable and has lost the “glorious uncertainty” which it is famous for .In recent times, the game has been transformed completely with unprecedented money pumped, pitches made much more batsman friendly, the boundaries becoming shorter. Whether or not, the extra graphite sticker provides additional strength is uncertain.
However, with increased fitness and emphasis on training methods , the modern batsmen has become fitter and have enough strength to clear the boundary , with the game seeing more hard hitters of the cricket ball than ever .How much of a difference it makes to cricket remains to be seen though .
Interestingly, the graphite coated bats rose into prominence with Ponting hitting the purple patch ,scoring 1,544 Test runs at an average of 67.13 in 2005 - the second highest calendar year tally in history - then opened 2006 with twin centuries in Sydney in his 100th Test. Ponting had run into rough weather, when the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was investigating if his bat was complying with the rules of the game.
In addition to setting out the materials that can be used in bat handles, the new laws also state that the handle cannot exceed 52 percent of the bat's total length. This will have an impact on the batman using to long handle to greater effect, which is an integral part of run feast we see today. It also restricts the thickness of materials that can be used to protect and repair bats. So, we are going to see less strapping over the blade now .
Kookaburra, the manufacturer maintains that the graphite covering acts as a protection against splitting, yorker damage, toe damage. In stark contrast, Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, who use Gunn and Moore bats have no graphite backings. And still when they play the shots it stays hit .The debate of the graphite coating adds rigidity and strength to the bat is not fully substantiated as the MCC has made no assessment of the power of the bat with graphite coating.
When Dennis Lillee walked out in the middle against England at Perth 29 years ago with an aluminium bat, he was soon told to send it back again. Lillee faced only four deliveries before concern was expressed about the condition of the ball and he was forced to switch to a traditional willow. Unlike Lillee's bat, however, the ball-striking face of the blade is unadulterated wood.
The bowlers meanwhile have a reason to smile.
With the International cricket chiefs have forbidden hi-tech cricket bats, to provide an equal battle between the ball and bat. Bowlers around the world will get a breather, with the odds highly tilted in favor of batsman. The move follows the development of bats that use materials such as graphite and titanium in their lightweight handles, giving extra power to batsmen. “The new rule changes will ensure bat handles are made with cane, wood, twine and rubber”, according to a statement from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
The new laws, passed with overwhelming 98.6 percent support, were designed to give a good contest between bat and ball, amidst complains that the game is becoming predictable and has lost the “glorious uncertainty” which it is famous for .In recent times, the game has been transformed completely with unprecedented money pumped, pitches made much more batsman friendly, the boundaries becoming shorter. Whether or not, the extra graphite sticker provides additional strength is uncertain.
However, with increased fitness and emphasis on training methods , the modern batsmen has become fitter and have enough strength to clear the boundary , with the game seeing more hard hitters of the cricket ball than ever .How much of a difference it makes to cricket remains to be seen though .
Interestingly, the graphite coated bats rose into prominence with Ponting hitting the purple patch ,scoring 1,544 Test runs at an average of 67.13 in 2005 - the second highest calendar year tally in history - then opened 2006 with twin centuries in Sydney in his 100th Test. Ponting had run into rough weather, when the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was investigating if his bat was complying with the rules of the game.
In addition to setting out the materials that can be used in bat handles, the new laws also state that the handle cannot exceed 52 percent of the bat's total length. This will have an impact on the batman using to long handle to greater effect, which is an integral part of run feast we see today. It also restricts the thickness of materials that can be used to protect and repair bats. So, we are going to see less strapping over the blade now .
Kookaburra, the manufacturer maintains that the graphite covering acts as a protection against splitting, yorker damage, toe damage. In stark contrast, Michael Vaughan, Marcus Trescothick, Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs, who use Gunn and Moore bats have no graphite backings. And still when they play the shots it stays hit .The debate of the graphite coating adds rigidity and strength to the bat is not fully substantiated as the MCC has made no assessment of the power of the bat with graphite coating.
When Dennis Lillee walked out in the middle against England at Perth 29 years ago with an aluminium bat, he was soon told to send it back again. Lillee faced only four deliveries before concern was expressed about the condition of the ball and he was forced to switch to a traditional willow. Unlike Lillee's bat, however, the ball-striking face of the blade is unadulterated wood.
The bowlers meanwhile have a reason to smile.
