Steel Shaft for Bat

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 71, 25 March 1936, Page 9

Steel Shaft for Bat

TRIAL BY WELL-KNOWN AUCKLANDERS SUCCESS EXPECTED The new steel-handled bat with which Slazenger’s are experimenting, was given a try-out recently by Alan Kippax, Ray Robinson, and Frank Easton. They went in for some big hitting, with the ball travelling far, and often into the clouds. The makers are still experimenting with the handle, with a view to getting resiliency equal to the best cane handles. This, it is expected, will be attained without any great difficulty. Slazcnger’s are finishing a handle to be fitted into a blade by Don Bradmau. It is for the little champion. Bradman uses a shorter handle than usual, but the blade is of the ordinary size. When the handle for this tried piece of willow is brought to perfection, from the aspect of the Bradman grip, the ball should travel a bit, even for Don, who already, with the cane handle, makes it hum along the turf with bullet speed A most interesting ‘experiment, it is being watched closely by active cricketers. When the bat is definitely finished and on the market, one under-

stands that tlio cost to the player will not be any greater than usual. The Law-Makers A suggestion has been made that the M.C.C. might see reason for making some provision in tho .laws to limit improvement to the bat along these lines. It is, however, difficult to see how this can be done without stepping into new territory, causing no end of trouble, and perhaps confusion. Besides, it might be extremely difficult to make any provision that would be binding in cricket generally. j The laws of cricket should be interfered, with as little as possible, especially those concerning implements of the game. | One direction in which the Lord’s jpeople might most reasonably prescribe a limit is in the width and height of the pads worn by batsmen and wicketkeepers. The pads to-day aro like great shields compared with those worn before the war.—Sydney Referee.