HISTORY OF THE CRICKET BAT - 1624-1900
1624 - This is the first time that we have any
mention of a cricket bat. An inquest was carried
out after a fielder was killed. The batsman had
tried to prevent him from catching the ball, and had
presumably whacked him on the head in the
process! Originally bowlers used to bowl the ball
underarm. The bat was therefore shaped very much
like a hockey stick.
1770's - The laws were changed to allow "length
bowling", which was still performed underarm. The
bat became roughly parallel with a maximum width
of 4.25". This is still the same today. They were
extremely heavy, with the "swell" at the bottom.
1820's - Round arm bowling was allowed,
instigating more bounce so the bat became
lighter with a higher "swell".
1830's - Until this period all bats were one piece
willow. However, because of increased breakages
and shock as the ball travelled faster, bat makers
started to "splice" handles into bats. Handles were
either solid willow or ash.
1835 - The length of a bat was restricted to 38",
which is still the same today.
1840 - The first recorded use of a "spring" being
inserted into the handles. These were initially
whalebone (as used in ladies corsets) and some
years later India rubber.
1853 - Thomas Nixon, a Notts cricketer,
introduced the use of cane in handle making.
1864 - The laws were altered to allow over-
arm bowling so there was a further lightening and
more refined shaping of the blade. Handles became
intricate constructions and were nearly all made of
cane with Indian rubber grips.
1870's - The shape of today's bat evolves.
I wonder if those cricketers of the 1600's would
recognise cricket as the same game that they
played. They certainly might look a bit
mystified at today's helmets!