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Win £100,000 with Gunn and Moore

HISTORY OF THE CRICKET BAT

Gunn & Moore

1624 The first reference to a cricket bat was during an inquest after a fielder was killed. The batsman had tried to prevent him catching the ball. Cricket originally involved the bowler rolling the ball underarm. The bat was therefore shaped much like a hockey stick.
1770s 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 very heavy with 'swell' at the bottom.
1820s Round arm bowling was allowed instigating more bounce, so the bat became lighter with a higher 'swell'.
1830s Until this period all bats were one piece willow. However, because of increased breakages and shock as the ball traveled faster, bat makers started to 'splice' handles into bats. The 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 in handles. These were initially made from 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 overarm bowling, so there was a further lightening and more refined shaping of the blade. Handles became intricate constructions and were all made of cane with India rubber grips.
1870s The modern bat shape evolved.
1885 Gunn & Moore was founded.
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