Bat Care
There are two options for cricket bat preparation:
1. Oiling with raw linseed oil of the bat is part of the preparation of a cricket bat. The aim of oiling is to maintain moisture levels within the blade which can reduce the chances of cracking. Two or three light coats of oil should be applied to the face, edges, toe and back of the bat avoiding stickers, toe guard and splice (handle). Each coat should be left in a horizontal position and allowed to dry before the next coat.
2. Fitting an anti-scuff sheet or similar cover can assist with the durability of your cricket bat but does not totally prevent surface damage. Then oiling any exposed willow.
Oiling comes before knocking in.
Knocking in and bat preparation is necessary in all JK bats. Knocking in varies from bat to bat.
Knock in using a cricket bat mallet for several (up to ten) hours concentrating on the toe and edges as well as the face. When you can no longer see seam marks in the blade the bat should be slowly brought through the nets with slow throw downs with old, high quality cricket balls to check for seam marks then moving into spin and faster bowling. Try and put off using new balls for a little while. If seam marks can be seen at any stage, revert back to knocking in the bat with a cricket mallet. This process is compressing the fibers of the bat, allowing for more durability.
AVOID:
โข Using your bat without knocking in
โข Over oiling which will make the willow rot and become ‘dead’. It is difficult to over oil. If there is any excess oil on the bat just wipe it off with an old rag.
โข Leaving the bat vertical while oiling
โข Wash with water
โข Tap on a wet pitch, allowing water into the toe which swells and can cause horizontal cracks.
โข Hit ‘yorkers’ hard. This can cause cracking in the toe.
โข Using cheap cricket balls that can bruise and dent the bat.
Warranty
Cricket bats are natural products. This means that there is a possibility that your JK bat could break. I will always do my best to ensure durability in your bat, but wood is wood and any bat has the chance of having it’s issues. Cricket bats can break for numerous reasons in numerous ways. Please follow the process above to minimise the chance of this happening. Most of the time the bat can be fixed. We cannot replace JK products if they have:
1. Been damaged as a result of regular wear and tear
2. Been wrongly used or neglected or that have been repaired or modified without being certified by JK
3. Become damaged through bad shots or have failed as a result of poor preparation and care. This includes most yorker damage.
All warranty claims on bats purchased from JK made within 12 months of purchase will be repaired for free if required. Shipping cost is extra. If the bat cannot be repaired a replacement of the same value will be issued, upgrades are not available in warranty cases. Replacement bats are under warranty for the period of 12 months from the original purchase, not from the date of issuing the replacement. If the bat is replaced within the last three months of the warranty period a period of three months will be added to the warranty starting from the date the new bat is issued.
Inaccurate play: If a false shot is played which makes damage to the sides, back, shoulders, toe or other areas of the bat, warranty will not be granted. This includes damage from carrying in bags, banging on the ground etc. JK’s decision is final on inaccurate play warranty claims.
In general cricket bats will be repaired at least once before a replacement or credit is given.
NO STICKERS, NO WARRANTY. If you request a JK bat without JK stickers it will not come with a warranty. If stickers are removed from a JK bat warranty will be void. No exceptions.
Soft gear (pads, gloves ect) will not be replaced under warranty for general wear and tear. They will be replaced if there is a fault because of the manufacturer within six months. This is totally at the discretion of JK
If anything happens to your JK product please email me with photos before taking any action. The product must be returned to JK Cricket in Adelaide for assessment. If the product is unrepairable, the product can be returned for a replacement or store credit.
Please note: Cricket is a dangerous sport. All products are made for normal play or training assistance and therefore JK cannot be held responsible for personal or third party injury. Please make sure the product is the right size for the user and the protection level is correct for the respective playing level.
Returns
JK products (excluding customised products) can be returned for a replacement. In the case the item is not in stock store credit will be issued. Shipping cost is not included. We do not do refunds.