The MCC has rejected the idea of bats made with bamboo in place of willow, citing that it would be “illegal” under current laws, which states bats must be made only of wood and also bans the lamination of the blade in bats meant for senior players as well. But many welcomed the experiment, claiming that “this angle of willow alternatives should also be considered”.
However, a study by the University of Cambridge has suggested that cricket bats that are made of bamboo can offer a lot more sustainable alternative than the ones made with willow. As per Darshil Shah, one of the researchers, the bamboo bat “was stiffer, harder and stronger than those made of willow, although more brittle”. “It is heavier than a willow bat, and we are looking to optimise that,” Shah was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
On the other hand, Law 5.3.2 says that the blade of the bat must comprise of wood only, so it would need a change in the law for bamboo – which is considered as grass as well.
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“… any potential amendments to the Law would need to carefully take this into consideration, particularly the concept of the bat producing greater power,” an MCC statement stated. “The Club has worked hard to ensure that bats aren’t too powerful, taking steps in 2008 and 2017 to limit the materials and the size of the bats for this purpose.”
The statement further read: “Sustainability is a relevant topic for MCC and indeed cricket, and this angle of willow alternatives should also be considered. With the researchers stating that the most suitable types of bamboo grow abundantly across China and that low-cost production could make bamboo bats a viable and ethical alternative to willow, this could provide a pertinent angle for further research and the possibility of reducing the cost of producing bats in different areas of the world.”
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Meanwhile, the statement again shared that the MCC will have a discussion on the topic at the next laws sub-committee meeting as well.
