When you buy a new cricket bat you may be tempted to go out and use it straight away. You do not want to do this as your bat will crack. You need to go through a process known as knocking in. So how do you knock in a cricket bat? Well this hub will teach you.

When you buy your cricket bat you need to prepare it for knocking in. There are different ways to prepare your bat.

First off use raw linseed oil to moisten the surface of the bat. This enables the fibres to become supple and knit together, forming an elastic surface. Doing this means you bat is more likely to stretch on impact, rather than crack. About a teaspoonful of oil should be applied to the surface of the bat.

Apply the oil 3 times before the process of compressing the face begins. Each coat of oil should be about a teaspoon full. With a small rag spread the oil over the face of the bat. Spread leftover linseed oil over the edges and toe of the bat. Make sure you let each coat of oil soak in overnight.

You can now begin the knocking in process. This should be done using a Hardwood bat mallet.

Start by hitting the middle of the bat just hard enough to create a dent. To check you are making a dent hold the bat up to the light.

You want to gradually compress the face of the bat around the dent. You want to get it so that the face of the bat is level and you cannot see the initial dent any more. Do not hit the bottom of the bat toe with the mallet.