Cricket bats are the piece of equipment used by the batsmen to hit the ball of a cane handle attached to a flat fronted willow widow blade. The first use of bats was done in 1624. Since 1979, the bats can be made of only wood.
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Before the 18th century, the bats were shaped as modern hockey sticks. In cricketing history, controversial bats were made that made the world not happy. Andre Russell used a controversial bat during the big bash game using black shining willow which created roar in the social media.
Here we look at the 5 most controversial bats in cricket
1. Gayle Golden Bat
The hard-hitting left-handed batsman Chris Gayle used the Spartan coloured golden bat which was flown from India to Australia. He used the golden bat during opening game Big Bash League 2015 edition on 20th December 2015. He smashed few big sixes scoring 23 and was dismissed.
Chris Gayle became the first batsman to use the coloured bat. The bat created a huge controversy as it had metal to it.
2. The Mongoose
Australian former cricketer and commentator now used the Mongoose bat during the 2010 edition of Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings against Delhi Daredevils. The bat created lots of controversies as it had MMi3, a shorter and a deadlier version of the bat.
With the Mongoose bat, Matthew Hayden made 93 off 43 balls against Delhi Daredevils. The Mongoose bat had some problem in it as the bat could be used for hitting and defending the ball was a problem.
3. Ricky Pointing bat with Carbon Graphite
The former Australian captain Ricky Pointing bat was under controversy as he used a thin strip of carbon Graphite attached to the back of willow. MCC gave a view about the bat to International Cricket Council that strip was adding extra power to bat which was a big use for the batsman.
With the same Carbon Graphite bat, Ricky Pointing scored a double century against Pakistan at Sydney in 2004-2005. Ricky Pointing managed to get away from the controversy.
4. Denis Lille’s Aluminium bat
Former Australian fast bowler Denis Lille on 15th December 1979, during the first Ashes test match at Perth he walked out with an aluminium bat. Australia was struggling at 232 for 8 with Lillie not out on 11.
On the 2nd day, everyone was surprised that Denis Lillee came out to bat with an aluminium bat. 12 days before against West Indies at Brisbane, he did the same thing but there was no complaint made.
England umpire Mike Brearley had a complaint the aluminium bat had damaged the ball and play was interrupted again and again. Greg Chappell entered the ground and handed a wooden bat to Lillie. Lillie threw the aluminium bat and resumed the innings.
5. The monster bat of 1771
It was the first case of controversy regarding the size of the bat. This incident happened on 25th September from the game between Chertsey and Hambleton. Thomas White came to bat with a huge bat wide enough to cover the stumps. This event also brought a change in the width of the bat.
The white act was great but his way was called as unsportsmanlike. Chertsey lost the game by just one failing to chase down the target of Hambleton 218.