Index
LAW 5 CHANGES
It has been decided to limit the size of the edge of the bat and also its overall depth
Law 5 defines the permitted size of the bat, with the width and length unchanged, but with added restrictions on the thickness of the edges (40mm) and the overall depth (67mm). Appendix B defines the size and shape of the bat gauge, which umpires can use to check a bat’s legality. This gauge is fractionally larger than the permitted size of the bat, to allow for permitted covering, such as an anti-scuff front. The gauge allows for the traditional slightly curved face of a bat resulting from the pressing process
Junior bats
In an attempt to reduce the cost of junior bats, lamination (the gluing of two or more pieces of wood) will now be allowed in the blade. This will allow manufacturers to use more off-cuts in bats for juniors, hopefully reducing the price
Following Cricket Australia’s playing regulation allowing the use of coloured bats – not currently allowed under the Laws – in the Big Bash, such bats will now be allowed for juniors as another means of attracting them to the game, provided that the bats do not discolour the ball
A new category of bat, Type D, is therefore introduced, for bats of size 6 or smaller (32 inches or 81.3cm), which will allow laminated and coloured bats for use only in junior cricket
There has been some movement of wording, in both directions, between the Law and the Appendix to try to make things clearer but without changing the end result
It has been decided to limit the size of the edge of the bat and also its overall depth
Law 5 defines the permitted size of the bat, with the width and length unchanged, but with added restrictions on the thickness of the edges (40mm) and the overall depth (67mm). Appendix B defines the size and shape of the bat gauge, which umpires can use to check a bat’s legality. This gauge is fractionally larger than the permitted size of the bat, to allow for permitted covering, such as an anti-scuff front. The gauge allows for the traditional slightly curved face of a bat resulting from the pressing process
Junior bats
In an attempt to reduce the cost of junior bats, lamination (the gluing of two or more pieces of wood) will now be allowed in the blade. This will allow manufacturers to use more off-cuts in bats for juniors, hopefully reducing the price
Following Cricket Australia’s playing regulation allowing the use of coloured bats – not currently allowed under the Laws – in the Big Bash, such bats will now be allowed for juniors as another means of attracting them to the game, provided that the bats do not discolour the ball
A new category of bat, Type D, is therefore introduced, for bats of size 6 or smaller (32 inches or 81.3cm), which will allow laminated and coloured bats for use only in junior cricket
There has been some movement of wording, in both directions, between the Law and the Appendix to try to make things clearer but without changing the end result