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In December 2011, Virendar Sehwag scored 219 runs off 149 balls. This destructive innings included 25 fours and 7 sixes. But this was not the first double century in ODI history. Sachin Tendulkar got there first in 2010, scoring 200 off 147 balls, hitting 25 boundaries and 3 sixes. Shahid Afridi still holds the world record for the fastest century, scoring 100 off 37 balls with the help of 6 fours and 11 sixes. All of these stellar performances have come in the last 16 years, a fairly small slice from the centuries old history of the game. The ultimate secret behind these staggering stats lies in the way modern Cricket bats are made.
As a result of all the advances made in the manufacturing of Cricket equipment, Cricket bats have improved the most. The first mention of Cricket bats dates back to the 1620s. The first Cricket bats were similar in shape and size to modern field Hockey sticks because bowlers were only allowed to bowl underarm. As the game's laws evolved, so did the Cricket bat. With the advent of round arm bowling in the 1820s, modern Cricket bats truly began to take their current form. Instead of using wood from the core of a tree, it was discovered that sapwood could be used to make cheap Cricket bats that are much lighter and cosmetically appealing to buyers.
In the 1970s, experimentation with the weight of the Cricket bat led to the development of the Super-Scoop Bat which featured a large hollow at the back and more wood around the edges. This rearrangement of the weight maximized the "sweet spot", resulting in greater shot power. Continuous refinement in Cricket gear, especially bats, has resulted in sky rocketing net run rates in Test Cricket. Stats show that during the 19th century, just less than half a team's runs were scored in boundaries. This trend remained remarkably consistent throughout the last century, before starting to change in the 90s. Boundaries now make up nearly 60% of a team's score, a considerable increase in less than two decades after remaining fairly stable for over 100 hundred years.
Comparisons of Cricket bats from even twenty years ago show significant changes. Thicker edges and the meat being lower in the blade are among the more prominent features in today's bats. Furthermore, branded Cricket bats have a pronounced 'bow' shape, in contrast to many of the straight blades of the past. The weights of bats have increased, and yet their feel and pickup has not been affected.
Some of the most popular new and affordable Cricket bats are being made under the brand names of Ihsan, GM Cricket bats, and CE & MB Malik. The evolution of the Cricket bat is still under way. With the advent of T20, we're witnessing the introduction of new & innovative bats every other day. Wherever the trends go in the future, one thing is certain; the average run rate in Test Cricket will continue to climb, and the records will keep on tumbling.
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