The shapes and sizes of a cricket bat have evolved massively over the years. When the game of cricket came into existence, the first bat is believed to be more in the shape of a hockey stick. Then, as the game evolved, it took the traditional shape with a thin handle and a thick bottom.

Initially, widths were thinner but they kept getting thicker with time. The modern-day batsmen took it to a new level and turned it into a beast. The game swung more in the favor of the batsmen as the sizes of the bats kept getting bigger. Even a top edge or a mistimed shot carried comfortably into the stands. The likes of Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle, despite having great muscular strength, used humungous bats.

There was bound to be a check on the size of a cricket bat. Last year, to bring the balance between bat and ball, a few regulations were introduced. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), a body responsible for the laws of the game, introduced new laws for the size of a cricket bat.

There were no changes in the length of the bat as a maximum of 38 inches/96.53 cm is intact. But the thickness of the bat cannot be more than 40 mm now while the depth cannot be more than 67 mm. The umpires are now being given a bat gauge and they can check the legality of the bat at any time.

The new rules on the regulations of the cricket bat were applicable for matches played on or after September 2017 or after. A workshop was conducted with the umpires so that they understand the new laws of the game.

New regulations on a cricket bat

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