Which oil is good for cricket bat
Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a religion for many. Bearing witness to the glorious game, people easily overlook the preparation that goes into those bat-swinging actions on field. Cricket gear requires constant care and maintenance to hold onto its high-performance capabilities. A cricket bat, particularly, demands utmost attention as it takes most of the brunt during any match or practice. One of the commonly adopted methods of maintaining these bats is oiling.
Why is Oiling Important?
Oiling a cricket bat holds significant importance in terms of preserving its longevity and performance potential. The primary purpose of oiling is to uphold the moisture contents in the willow without making it overly dry or too moist, either of which could significantly hamper its functionality. Regularly oiling your bat could enhance rebound qualities by preventing drying, splitting and cracking. Moreover, it decreases the chances of incurring damage from hard cricket balls by enhancing flexibility.
The Selection Process
Choosing good oil for your cricket bat might seem like an intimidating task considering there are various types available today but attributed to their own benefits, here we elucidate why Linseed Oil outperforms others.
Linseed Oil: The Most Recommended Choice
Across numerous forums, you’ll find experts concur on one thing – raw linseed oil being ideal for cricket bats owing to its naturalness compared to other synthesized oils. This organic produce does a splendid job maintaining willow’s holistic integrity.
Considering Other Oils
Though linseed oil usually emerges as top choice, alternatives like teak oil are also suggested given their similar properties. Teak oil has less viscosity aiding faster absorption but extend drying time leading possibly uneven results.
Synthetic oils such as silicone-based variants aren’t recommended due to their surface-coating nature creating a barrier restricting fine absorption – an essential aspect for oiling cricket bats.
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Applying The Oil
Once you’ve chosen the proper oil, applying it correctly is equally essential. Initially, gently buffing bat with fine sandpaper is often recommended to open up the wood’s pores. This allows better absorption of applied oil.
Using a soft cloth or brush, evenly apply linseed or other suitable oil in light coatings. While ensuring fuller coverage, concentrate more on edges as they’re most prone to cracking. After each coating, let bat dry horizontally – this procedure could extend over few days depending upon saturation level achieved.
The “knocking-in” process should ideally commence after oil application and complete drying. Remember not to overtly saturate the willow by regularly checking the amount absorbed before next application.
Frequential Maintenance
As for how frequently one ought to be oiling their bat, usually twice per season suffices – before initiating use during season onset and once after season concludes.
Bear in mind that too much oil can weaken bat’s structure leading to degraded performance so moderation is integral while aiming for longevity rather than immediate short-term results. Moreover, newer bats made from pre-conditioned willows may require less initial oiling compared to older versions but a general thumb rule remains two-time seasonal oiling.
Ensuring your cricket bat gets appropriate oil treatment isn’t just about enhancing its look; it’s indeed about boosting durability and overall performance maintaining optimum moisture levels preventing cracks and splits due to excessive drying thereby relishing your time on-field without needing frequent replacements saving costs in longer run. Thus choosing and using appropriate oils correctly goes beyond mere maintenance ritual becoming an act of respecting gear facilitating best gameplay hours. Go ahead and treat your cricket bat today!
