| Choosing a bat is of great importance to any | | | | Salix Alba caerulea. Wood from these willows is |
| batsperson, and there are several considerations | | | | resilient, tough and light weight. The trees |
| which are usually taken into account in the | | | | themselves are grown in a very exacting manner |
| selection process. Cricket bats come in variable | | | | to ensure their suitability. Firstly long cuttings called |
| weights and sizes, and some are better quality | | | | sets are grown to the height of three and a half |
| than others â choosing the best quality | | | | metres, before being planted out at a depth of |
| you can afford is usually wise, but remember that | | | | around 75cm. The sets should be completely |
| a bat should feel right to you â | | | | straight and free from blemishes. Young trees are |
| itâs no good getting a high quality bat | | | | protected from rabbits and deer and are planted |
| that doesnât work or feel how you need | | | | a distance apart to ensure they get plenty of |
| it to. | | | | light. Specimens grow best near fresh water |
| Although there are many varieties of willow trees, | | | | streams and lakes. In the early summer buds and |
| only one is ideally suited to the manufacture of | | | | shoots are rubbed off the bottom three metres |
| cricket bat blades. This is the cricket bat willow or | | | | of growing trees to prevent knots in the wood. |