Special bats made by Don Ward made record breakers....

Bradman, Hutton, Sobers and others...

In the good old days, there was one person by the name of Don Ward who was an expert in the making of cricket bats and all the top cricketers used to go to him to select the bats they prefer. In his factory there were plenty of bats to choose from.

Top finisher in the slazenger factory at Horbury, Don has been plying his talents for the stars for well over fifty years. During that time his Gradidge bats have helped Sir Don Bradman, Sir Len Hutton and Sir Garfield Sobers in successive record breaking Test match scores culminating in Sobers' brilliant 365 not out for the West Indies against Pakistan at Kingston during the 1957-58 series.

Other "specials" have played their parts in headline making performances by Colin Cowdrey, Trevor Bailey, Jackie McGlew and cricket immortals too numerous to mention.

Of the many remarkable skills possessed by this dedicated craftsman two strike the unbelieving on looker with particular force. First comes the accuracy and speed with which he works; then his method of testing.

24 Special Bats every day

Though used to fit and shake to final tolerances comparable to those involved in high efficiency racing engines, he completes 24 special bats every working day. Those he tests first on the scales for weight. Then he picks up each bat and emulates the favourite stroke of the man for whom it is intended.

Don has said that he had been working for so long that he was able to tell if a bat is right, better by copying a man's favourite shot than by using a special balance machine." Recipients have readily agreed.

Jackie McGlew liked the point of balance well down the blade. Don Ward explained "McGlew says that when one is taking strike to a bowler like Freddie Trueman the striker has plenty of time for the backswing when he is running in, once he sends the ball the batsman has to move the bat quickly. If there is plenty of meat on the bottom it brings lots of singles off forward strokes.

Sir Len Hutton used eight bat

Sir Len Hutton used the lightest bats Don has ever made - 2 lb 2 1/2 ounces. This aided fluent movement and helped towards the thousands of runs. Hutton has scored. He also liked one edge thicker than the other as a boost to his immaculate cover driving.

What should one look for when buying a beat? England's one-time Test captain Colin Cowdrey lists six points.

How to choose a bat

1)A comfortable handle, thin at the top, thick at the bottom for most right-handed batsmen.

2)Goof "feel" when picked up and swung.

3)Grain straight and evenly spaced; whether it is narrow or wide is not important.

4)Thickness and depth in the driving area.

5)Perfect fit when handling.

6)A reputable maker's name on the bat.

Careful Usage

Such carefully made instruments deserve careful usage and these points should be noted:

There is greater chance of over oiling than under oiling and so the following instructing should be faithfully observed.

A new bat should have one coat of oil applied, with a soft rag or even the palm of the hand, to the face, edges, toe and back, care being taken to keep oil from the wrapping twine on the handle. No further oil should be applied to the back but at intervals of a few days two or more light coats should be given to the face, edges, and toe. Between oiling the bat should be kept in a horizontal position.

After use, the bat's face and edges should be given a thin coat of oil and the face cleaned over with find sandpaper. Finally a fine application of oil should be made with the palm of the hand, just leaving the face of the bat moist.

Only raw linseed oil or special bat oil should be used.

A new bat should be played in slowly, preferably with balls that have been used for some time.

Dampness is dangerous at the base of a bat and should be avoided as far as possible.

Which only goes to show how strange cricket bats are, fort he final willow comes from the damp marshlands of Essex, suffolk and Norfolk and despite enormous efforts all over the world, no other willow can compare with this.

A. C. de S