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Sm Cricket

Bat Warranty

This warranty applies to all English willow cricket bats labelled ‘SM’ supplied by SM Cricket UK and does not affect your statutory consumer rights. There are various brands within the SM range which all include the SM label.

SM bats have chunky edges, toes, and shoulders, but to ensure that the bat goes as well as it possibly can, and to ensure its longevity, they will need careful preparation before use with a cricket ball as well as routine maintenance.

General Information
Cricket bat willow – English willow is by nature a soft fibrous reed. Performance and durability have been enhanced during production by a drying and pressing process. Due to the nature of the game even with typical use the willow can become bruised, scarred or dented, however the performance of the bat will not be affected. Such marking can occur at any time during the lifespan of the bat and is regarded as normal wear and tear.


Registration and Returns

All SM bats have a warranty of three months from the date of purchase. The date of purchase of the bat from SM Cricket UK will be confirmed by email by SM Cricket UK following the purchase.

Any repairs or replacement bats are at the discretion of SM Cricket UK or the manufacturer. Bats returned must be accompanied by proof of purchase (including date of purchase).

If it is agreed and accepted that the bat needs to be returned for repair and is in the 3 month Warranty period then SM Cricket UK will advise where the bat should be returned to. SM Cricket UK has a preferred “quality” bat repairer and the customer will likely be asked to return the bat directly to him. Shipment costs will be paid by the customer. SM Cricket UK will pay for the repair and return shipment costs.


Lifespan of a Cricket Bat

There is no definitive length of time that a cricket bat will last. The condition of a bat deteriorates with use. The length of time before a player needs to replace the bat will depend upon: the amount of use, the weight of bat (heavier bats tend to be more durable than lighter bats) and the care with which the bat is treated.


Damage during play

Immediate action should be taken. This normally necessitates withdrawal from play whilst repairs are carried out. It is essential that any repairs are carried out by professional bat makers. The manufacturer is unable to guarantee repair work carried out by non-approved repairers.


If in any doubt, please contact SM Cricket UK who will be able to advise you on the best course of action.


Deliberate damage or damage incurred off a cricket pitch
Deliberate damage to the bat invalidates this warranty. The circumstances of any damage incurred off a cricket pitch will be considered by SM Cricket UK, who reserve the right to decline any claim for damage or repair subject to the cause and context of the damage caused.


Insurance
Your household insurance policy may cover damage to your cricket bat. If in doubt, consult your
insurer.


Winter storage
At the end of each season your SM bat should be cleaned, lightly oiled and stored in a cool, dry location away from direct heat so as not to dry the bat out thereby making it brittle and susceptible to future damage.


PREPARATION
Before use, two coats of cricket bat oil (one coat is the equivalent of one teaspoonful) should be gently rubbed into the front, back, edges and toe of the blade (taking care to avoid the splice), 24 hours apart. Oiled correctly, the bat fibres should be supple and the face and edges will dent rather than crack during the knocking-in process. The bat should then be carefully knocked-in.
All SM bats are pre-knocked but further knocking in, is always recommended.


This service can be provided by many bat makers or cricket equipment distributors. If you prefer to knock in yourself, the bat will need to be knocked in with a bat mallet concentrating on the blade and most importantly, the edge of the blade and the toe.


The bat should be struck with gradually increasing force in all areas where one would normally expect to hit the ball. The edges require special attention.


Edges need to be rounded off so that a hard new ball cannot damage the bat. The edges should be struck at 45 degrees to the face so that the mallet can compress the willow.


The full knocking in process should take in the region of four hours, although it may vary, as every bat is different. Before using the bat in match conditions, the bat should be used in net sessions against an old ball. If deep seam marks become present your bat requires some more knocking in. Knock in for a further one hour and repeat the gentle net session.


Under no circumstances should a bat be used in match conditions less than two weeks following purchase.


Maintenance during use
A high quality SM anti-scuff sheet, available from any retailer, can be used to increase longevity of your SM bat. It helps protect the face and edges of the blade making them a sealed unit, removing the need for sanding down and oiling during the season apart from light oil on the toe and back.


If no anti-scuff facing is adopted then during the playing season the face and edges of the bat should be given a rub down with some fine sandpaper and given a light oil up to 4 times a season, depending on usage of the bat. It is equally important to ensure that the bat is not over-oiled as this will lead to a deadening of the bat and a reduction in performance.


BAT DAMAGE
SM cricket bats are handcrafted from natural materials and as a result, are expected to deteriorate during usage. Our professional bat manufacturers have put together the following notes to assist the explanation of certain likely scenarios, which may occur within the life-span of the bat:

Handle Breaks
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: The bat itself is not replaceable but the handle may be repaired at the manufacturer’s discretion.

Blade Breakage
Cause: Weak or excessively dry willow.
Solution: Potentially replaceable by full or partial credit at the manufacturer’s discretion.

Blade damage

 Surface Cracking to the face of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.

 Surface cracking to the edge of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.

 Surface cracking to the toe area of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear. This type of damage is often caused by the striking of a ‘yorker’ delivery and/or excessive tapping of the crease and is therefore not the fault of the bat.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.

 Split through the toe area of the blade
Cause: This type of damage is caused by the striking of a ball at, or near the base of the blade, e.g. the striking of a ‘yorker’.
Solution: Repairable or replaceable at the manufacturer’s discretion.
 Cracking to the shoulder area of the blade
Cause: General wear and tear.
Solution: Not replaceable as the crack will not affect the performance of the bat. Repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion.

 Damage due to misuse of the bat or by accident
Cause: Generally caused by accidentally striking an object other than the ball, stumps for
example.
Solution: Not replaceable, may be repairable at the customer’s expense.

 Moisture Damage
Cause: This type of damage occurs as a result of use in damp or wet conditions. It generally leads to swelling of the toe area of the blade, which after drying may well split.
Solution: Not replaceable as there is no fault in the manufacturing or the materials used. The damage may be repairable at the manufacturer’s discretion and the customer’s cost.

 Damage due to poor quality Cricket Balls
Cause: Poor quality or excessively hard cricket balls can be the cause of many types of crack or split damage to the blade of the bat.
Solution: All cricket bat manufacturer’s recommend that only balls of reputable manufacture are used. Use of any other style or type of ball may cause damage to bats and will affect any claim made.

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