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Bat Preparation
IMPORTANT BAT CARE INFORMATION
Getting Started
Every bat must be either oiled and/or have extratec applied prior to using the bat against a ball. Oiling - maintains moisture levels in bats & reduces the chances of splitting and cracking. Use a cloth to apply oil to the bat. Apply oil to the face, edges & blade avoiding the splice & labels (Only exposed timber should be oiled). Generally 3-4 initial coats should be sufficient and one coat every 8-12 weeks thereafter. Each coat should be allowed to dry into the blade in a horizontal position for around 24 hours.
Extratec
Is a clear self-adhesive protective cover for your bat, covering the entire hitting area. It is by far the best form of protection & 90% of customers enjoy the benefits of applying it to their bats. It also keeps the moisture in the bat but it’s still a very good idea to oil the exposed timber once every 12 weeks with a very light coat. The ideal preparation is to apply two light coats of oil to the face and edges of the bat & one coat to the back; do all knocking in with a mallet whilst the bat still has a natural face; then apply extratec sheet once the oil has dried. You are now ready to start hitting balls and “playing in” your bat.
KNOCKING IN & PLAYED IN SERVICES
After many years of research and development the Greg Chappell Cricket Centre has introduced professional Knocking In and Played In services. Thank you for your customer feedback and desire to have a treatment for your bat that really works and saves you time. Sometimes, the Knocking In procedure can take well over 10 hours of your time, but let us make it easy for you by selecting one of three bat preparation services.
1) Match Ready Service - “Played In” 2) Match Ready Service - “Played In” plus Toe Protection 3) Knocked In Service - “Knocked In”
SERVICE
GCCC Match Ready Service - “Played In” Full service performed at our national workshop
GCCC Match Ready Service + Toe Protection (Recommended)
GCCC Knocked In Service Performed in each store location • Pressing of Bat • Hand Knocking of Toe • Hand Knocking of Edges • Extratec Applied
OVERVIEW
• Best Knocking In Service on the market • Hand Knocking of Toe • Hand Knocking of Edges • Boning of Edges • Automated hand held Knocking on face • Edge Tape, Oil & Extratec applied • Anti-Slip grip modification • Service is modified specifically to suit YOUR bat • Automated hand held knocking device. The Automated hand held knocking in device allows the bat to be hit 20 times more often than standard knocking in. • Enhanced performance & longevity of bat
• The same service as above including a fitted Toe Guard for additional longevity/protection
STANDARD SERVICE JTQ SERVICE
$120
13-21 Working Days
$190
7-12 Working Days
$170
13-21 Working Days
$70
5-10 Working Days
$230
7-12 Working Days
$90
Maximum 5 Working Days
You can find an instructional video about “knocking in” and “playing in” your bat by scanning the QR code above.
Additional charges may apply for cleaning/repairing bats that have been used, pressed, poorly knocked/oiled or damaged. Jump the Queue (JTQ) is the same service as the Standard Service, but promises much faster turnaround times as advertised above.
MATCH READY SERVICE “PLAYED IN”
The Process
The Best Knocking-In Service on the market
After years of research, we believe that our ‘Match Ready’ service is the best on the market. It is far superior to any Knocking In services offered elsewhere. We’ve found that most other Knocking In services will either cause damage during the process, or do not complete the job properly, leading to damage during play.
Includes Hand Knocking of Edges & Toe
The Toe & Edge are the most vulnerable areas on a cricket bat. These areas are most prone to damage & will break if Knocking In is not completed correctly. Unfortunately, almost every other Knocking In service on the market will not complete the Toe or Edges correctly. Our service includes completion of the Edges & Toe by hand, along with Hand boning of edges for the best service available.
Automated hand held KnockingIn of Face
This service includes up to 200,000 impacts on the face via a unique process. It is set to a force that is very gentle on the bat. It avoids deep bruising of the wood which can happen by hand and is unavoidable in commercial machines. The impact of the process enhances rebound by increased ‘trampoline effect’ to the bat. Most importantly, the Bat is held by hand and observed through the entire process (unlike most machines where the bat is strapped in and the operator presses the button, walks away and comes back once it is done). This means the process can be modified specifically to suit your bat to allow more time to be spent on areas in need! This service boasts a unique automated hand held knocking in device which allows the bat to be hit 20 times more often than standard knocking in or commercial machines on the market.
Added Protection
For peace of mind & additional protection, the service includes light oiling, bonded Edge Tape & bonded Extratec. Stabilization of the grip is finished after completion of the service.
Additional Toe Protection
We are not fans of bats being used without some form of toe protection. Nearly all toe guards currently commercially available for ownerfitting are of really bad quality. There is also an overwhelming amount of cricket bats with severe damage due to lack of toe protection. We can also complete the entire Match Ready Service with a durable smooth fitted toe guard which we strongly recommend.
* Although this is the best service available, we still recommend testing
YOUR bat in the nets prior to game use.
Knocked In Service - “Knocked In”
• Provides a solid start to the
Knocking In process on any
English Willow Bat. • Includes GCCC Machine Pressing • Toe & Edges are the most vulnerable parts of a bat and are never Knocked In properly on commercial machines. This service offers “Knocking In” on these vulnerable areas by hand! • Extratec Fitted
We still recommend additional “Playing In” following this service prior to Match Use. Throw downs & net sessions are advised to assess YOUR bat. Some bats are made of softer willow than others & may require additional “Playing In”.