After a wet session
- Wipe it straight away. Dry the grip and the rest of the bat with a clean cloth.
- Dry it in the shade. Stand the bat somewhere airy, at room temperature. Don't put it in the sun, near a heater or under a hair dryer on high: heat ages rubber and can dry out the willow too fast.
- Open the kit bag. Don't zip a wet bat into a bag or a plastic cover overnight. Trapped damp is how mould and smells start.
Cleaning a grimy grip
Wipe the grip with a cloth dampened in water. If it's very grimy, add a drop of mild soap to the water, then wipe again with plain water so no soap is left on it. Let it dry fully in the shade before you play.
Tacky grips lose their feel when dust and sweat build up. A wipe like this brings back some of it.
Storing your bat in the rainy season
- Keep it in a dry room, off the floor, away from walls that get damp.
- Store it lying flat or upright in a rack, not leaning on the grip under weight.
- Check the grip every week or two. Mould spots, a gummy feel or a smell mean it's time to clean it, or change it. Here's how to change a cricket bat grip.
Playing in the wet
A wet grip slips more. Keep a small towel in your kit to dry your hands and the grip between overs, and wear gloves if the ball allows it: a chevron grip holds better with gloves when it's damp. If the grip still slips after drying, it's worn out. See when to change your bat grip.
A word on the bat itself
Willow doesn't like water. If your bat gets soaked, dry it slowly at room temperature, and check the toe and edges for swelling or cracks before your next game. For a damaged bat, ask a bat repairer.
Keep the grip cone dry too, so it's ready for your next grip change.