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Taking care of a cricket bat of utmost importance to a batsman. Once you purchase a new cricket bat there is a good chance it might have an anti-scuff sheet on it. Let’s take a look at how to apply Anti Scuff sheet to your cricket bat from scratch.
First of all, sand the bat and use linseed oil before applying the new sheet to the bat. Once the oil dries, apply the new sheet. Adjust it to the size of the bat by cutting the extra sheet. Do not forget to knock the bat with a mallet. This will increase the life of the bat, though it will not have a significant impact on the performance.
Should I Put a Scuff Sheet on My Bat?
It is not necessary to put a scuff sheet on a cricket bat. The reason is that the scuff sheet has no effect on the performance of the bat, it only helps in increasing its life. Therefore, many cricketers do not apply this sheet because they have an unlimited supply of their equipment. Although it gives the bat a new look every time we remove the old anti scuff sheet and apply a new sheet. Basically, it comes down to personal preference and comfort.
When to Apply Anti Scuff Sheet on a Cricket Bat?
The best time to apply the anti-scuff sheet on a cricket bat is usually after a season ends. The bat gets dry underneath and therefore it’s necessary to change the anti scuff sheet after every season or year. Once we remove the sheet, two coats or one teaspoon full of oil should be applied if we are leaving the natural sheet on it. Else, one coat of oil is sufficient if we are applying a new sheet on the cricket bat. With time the moisture within dries up, hence we need to apply a new sheet every season to retain the oil and moisture.
How to Remove an Old Anti Scuff Sheet from a Cricket Bat?
Before removing the anti-scuff sheet from the bat, heat the bat with a hairdryer While removing an old anti-scuff sheet from the cricket bat, make sure to hold the bat horizontally and peel off the sheet’s edges slowly. During this process pay attention to the fibre tape and do not peel them off while removing the old sheet. The bats should be sanded and then oiled once the sheet is removed (half teaspoon). After that, a new sheet can be added.
How to Put a Scuff Sheet on a Cricket Bat?
It is very important to buy a suitable sheet for your bat. If the bat has been oiled, one needs to wait for it to dry. If the sheet is applied without the oil being dried, it will not come out properly. After the oil has dried up, align the sheet with the bat and then cut the remaining portion so that the size fits the bat. The sticker needs to be applied to the toe of the bat. After that, unpeel the sheet carefully, making sure it’s straight and covers the face of the bat. Once it’s applied do rub down the air bubbles on the sticker. If in case a person forgets to cut the remaining portion of the anti-scuff sheet they can always do it after applying the sticker. All they need to do is cut around the edges. Once the sheet is applied knock the sheet lightly with a mallet.
How Do You Oil a Cricket Bat with an Anti Scuff Sheet?
As mentioned above, once the old anti-scuff sheet is removed, the bat can be oiled. You can apply half a teaspoon of oil. Do not apply the new sheet till the oil is completely dried up. It may take from 24-48 hours. You can even use a dry cloth to wipe off the remaining surface oil with a dry cloth. The sheet might not stick properly if the oil is not dried. Make sure to store the bat horizontally for oil to penetrate properly.
Can I Knock in a Bat with a Scuff Sheet On it?
The short answer to this is yes! One can knock in a bat with an anti-scuff sheet on it. But the disadvantage of this would be that the sheet may air bubble which one will have to remove manually. There is also a risk of damaging the bat willow. If the bat has a minimum stroke, the knocking needs to be done for a longer period of time which can lead to the wear and tear of the anti-scuff sheet. It may not be very important for some as the bat’s stroke matters more than a sheet which can always be replaced.
Conclusion
Thus, we can derive that bat care is absolutely necessary. With the constantly high demands for cricket equipment, major brands have hiked their prices. This has made such types of equipment difficult to afford for an aspiring cricketer. Cricket bats are one of the most important pieces of equipment, especially for a player aspiring to become a batsman. If they do not take care of the cricket bats, it will reduce their life thus making their cricketing journey further difficult. As mentioned above, it will not affect the performance of the bat, but its life is certainly affected by the same.
