How to put a grip on a cricket bat

Before removing the old grip

Check whether the problem is the rubber or the handle underneath. A torn or slippery grip is different from a moving handle, damaged binding or a split near the splice. If the handle moves, stop using the bat and ask a repairer; another layer of rubber is not a repair.

Photograph the current setup if it feels comfortable. Note the number of grips, where the lower end sits and whether there is any padding underneath. That gives you a useful reference when choosing a replacement instead of changing several things at once.

Fit the replacement with a cone

SR Cricket's care-kit instructions use a cone: put the end intended for the top of the handle onto the applicator first. Roll the grip from the wide end towards the narrow end and off, leaving one end visible. Place that opening over the cone's narrow end, seat the bat handle in the wide end's recess, then roll the grip onto the handle towards the shoulders and unroll it.

Read the instructions for your applicator before starting. Keep the bat supported and take your time; SR itself notes that the technique takes practice. If the grip will not move or begins to tear, stop and ask a cricket shop to fit it. Do not treat speed demonstrations as a target.

Replace a grip or add another?

Gray-Nicolls explains that extra grips thicken the handle and add weight at the handle end, changing the balance. It also advises practising with the changed setup before a match.

If you liked the old handle thickness, replacing like for like is a sensible starting point. If you want a thicker handle, make one change and compare it in your batting gloves. A second grip should be a deliberate fit choice, not the automatic answer to every uncomfortable bat.

Check the finished handle

Before facing a ball, check that the rubber lies evenly and stays where you put it. Hold the bat in your normal stance and make a few controlled movements in a clear space. Look for bunching under either hand and recheck after the first short practice.

Keep the old size and weight notes if you are also shopping for a new bat. Comparing a thin single-grip setup with a heavily padded handle can make it harder to tell whether the difference comes from the blade or the grip.

• Does the grip cover the part of the handle you actually hold?
• Does either hand sit on a rolled edge or wrinkle?
• Is the handle secure underneath, without movement or exposed damaged binding?
• Can you control the bat comfortably in your usual gloves?
• Have you tested the change before committing to it for a match?