MCC votes to regulate bats

MCC members have voted overwhelmingly to regulate bat handle technology.

The ballot of 18,000 members voted 98.6% in favour to outlaw the type of handle manufactured by Gray-Nicolls, who have developed a bat containing graphite and titanium on the handle.

MCC hope the revision will maintain an equilibrium between bat and ball, which many believe has been tilted too far in favour of the batsman.

A rewritten Law 6 will come into force on October 1, stating that 90% of the volume of bat handles should consist of cane, wood, or twine, and the other 10%, for instance rubber, for the purposes of reducing vibration.

John Stephenson, MCC head of cricket, said: “In cricket, the battle between bat and ball is key.

“If one comes to dominate the other, the game will become predictable and less enjoyable to play and watch.

“While cricket pitches, balls and boundaries have changed little in centuries, modern bats have developed to the extent that mishits are now sometimes clearing the boundary rope for six.

“By ensuring that bats are made in the traditional manner, MCC hopes to safeguard the traditional balance of the game.”

The new law will also state that bat handles, including the splice, must not exceed 52% of the overall length of the bat, and restrictions are included in the thickness of materials that can be used to protect and repair bats.

There will be a grading system - from A to C - allowing for more leeway on the materials used in the manufacture of bats, enabling blades to be produced cheaply for use in lower levels of the game.

All bat manufacturers will be asked to submit their designs to MCC for grading.

“Modern training methods have allowed many batsmen to become stronger and fitter than their predecessors, thus hitting the ball harder and further,” Stephenson added.

“MCC is not trying to legislate against those players, but rather the new materials that could give them an unfair advantage.”

MCC held discussions with the International Cricket Council, governing bodies of Test-playing nations, scientists and nine different bat manufacturers.

Random worldwide tests will be carried out on bats to ensure they comply with the new law.

The law will not apply retrospectively to any amateur using a bat manufactured before October, so anyone still in possession of an outlawed bat can use it for its natural lifespan.

The law was also changed last year to outlaw the Kookaburra bat used by Australia captain Ricky Ponting, which included graphite binding.