Bamboo bats could beat traditional willow at affordable cricket

An image showing a woman playing cricket

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While bamboo bats break cricket traditions, it might make the sport more accessible to its growing fanbase

Cricket bats made from bamboo might help batters hit farther and faster, researchers have discovered. While willow has been the bat wood of choice for nearly 200 years, bamboo could deliver more energy to the ball during impact, though at the price of being much heavier. But bamboo’s fast growth could help make the sport more affordable to its rapidly growing fanbase.