Why Bamboo Bats Are Causing A Stir In The World Of Cricket

The debate around cricket bat materials gained steam once again with a study published on May 9, 2021 by researchers from the University of Cambridge, entitled, ‘Replacing willow with bamboo in cricket bats’ (Study).[1] It explored the use of bamboo as an alternative material for making a cricket bat as against the traditional use of willow.

This piece analyzes:

• The history of materials used to make bats and the regulation of the same,
• the legal framework regarding the material from which cricket bats can be made,
• why regulating the material of the bat is required,
• arguments for and against alternative materials for manufacturing bats, and
• comparison with equipment in other sports and recommendations resulting therefrom.