Continual development and refinement over a quarter of a century have made the BOLA Cricket Bowling Machine the indispensable coaching tool


The BOLA Bowling Machine has been at the forefront of technology since it was conceived by club cricketer Michael Stuart in 1984. The original conceptual brief to provide accurate and consistent batting practice for cricketers of all standards and abilities is still very much alive but evolutionary development over a quarter of a century has made the latest BOLAs better than ever. BOLA Machines are used by thousands of schools, clubs, private individuals and organisations who have recognised a very tangible and enjoyable way of improving batting performance. A first class cricket practice facility available to all cricketers at an affordable price. The BOLA Bowling Machine is the best fun you’ll have on your own in a cricket net!

Ever since the original BOLA Machine was purchased by Surrey County Cricket Club in 1985 and shortly afterwards by the England Test Side BOLA manufacturers Stuart & Williams have vigorously pursued a policy of continuous improvement and development. The key concepts of the original BOLA design remain very much in evidence but the latest machines are complemented by modern technology and innovation. The BOLA
‘Professional’ benefits from an electronic random delivery mode, a sophisticated speed control system and an updated electronics package. The 2010 BOLA is extremely energy efficient and offers much greater battery operation time so your sessions in the middle or net with no mains power will tire all but the most persistent of net practisers.

After more than two decades in production the BOLA can be found in a huge variety of cricketing environments. All the English first class counties use the BOLA as well as the MCC Indoor School at Lord’s (which has used BOLA machines exclusively since 1986) and the ECB National Academy at Loughborough. The BOLA is also to be found in all sorts of venues across the world from the Sydney and Melbourne Cricket Grounds in Australia to the Mumbai Cricket Club in India. Wherever there is cricket practice the BOLA is not far away. 


The BOLA is multi talented and very capable of recreating all the best aspects of any bowling attack. From the 95 mph bouncers and yorkers of the speed merchants to the subtle spin of the slow bowlers the BOLA can give you as many overs as you want to perfect all the shots in your game. If you just want the satisfaction of hitting off stump half volleys for six the BOLA allows you to select exactly the speed and length you want. But the BOLA microprocessor will also deliver subtle variations of speed, swing or spin when a greater challenge is required. Confidence or competition, the BOLA can give you both by the bucketful.

The BOLA is the ideal coaching tool. It provides any cricket coach with the capability to improve almost any batsman. Just having the facility to be able to watch a batsman playing the same ball time after time gives the coach the opportunity to visually analyse and fine tune technique. Coaches can work effectively to eliminate flaws and weaknesses against a ‘reference’ ball and deliver enough accurate bowling to effectively ‘groove’ shots. All players from the most tentative colt to the free hitting tail ender will have the opportunity to improve their batting without the frustrations of infinitely variable net bowling.


Whilst the advantages of using a BOLA are plain to see for the professional players who use them as part of their regular practice and training schedules, they are not necessarily the players who can benefit the most. It is when the standards of net bowling are less consistent and plentiful at school, club and junior level that the BOLA
comes into it’s own. For any frustrated batsman trying to improve a facet of his or her game, there is no better facility. The BOLA Machine will do what no other net bowler can or wants to do. It will bowl whatever delivery the batsman wants to practise against and keep bowling that ball until you can play that cover drive or square cut or hook or pull or reverse sweep or......


The BOLA can swing or spin the ball both ways and has push button controls to vary the amount of swing. Push the left button to move the ball to the left - away swing to a right-hander - or push the right button to move the ball to the right for inswing to a right-hander. It’s simple to use and quick to adjust. Whether you want to bowl a ball
like a banana to emphasise a coaching point or just move the ball gently in or away, the BOLA will do it and keep doing it. The BOLA is also capable of high class spin bowling. By simply angling the delivery head of the machine and using the extreme settings on the left or right bias control buttons, you can bowl a ball which will turn
prodigiously to simulate off-spin and leg-spin. Excellent for practising foot movement and batting technique against the turning ball. Also if Hi-Viz 3oz practice balls are used they will replicate the steeper bounce that quality bowlers can produce on harder wickets. CLICK HERE FOR COACHING ADVICE


The accuracy and reliability of the 2010 BOLA machines has been enhanced by the use of a brand new custom programmed microprocessor system which controls the speed and spin/swing functions of the machine. A microprocessor controller was first introduced for the BOLA ‘Professional’ machine in 1994. This was complemented in 1999 with a membrane switch panel for improved reliability and robustness in use.
The switch panel gives you all the visual information you need to make fast and positive adjustments. In 2000, the circuit design was amended again to include an electronic ‘Random Delivery Mode’. For the latest BOLA the package retains the panel design which has become familiar to thousands of enthusiastic BOLA users but with an updated circuit design. The new circuitry was originally comissioned to improve battery
operation times by reducing the current consumption of the control package. One of the benefits of this has been to reduce the electrical loading on all parts of the machine which automatically enhances component life and reliability.

The BOLA control panel gives the user easy to interpret visual information confirming speed, swing or spin settings. The LCD display gives accurate ball speed in miles per hour. There is also one extra digit to indicate (1 to 9) how much swing or spin is being imparted to the ball. Two Tricolor LEDs one for each side, change colour as the bias is adjusted to further confirm the selected settings. The Random Delivery Mode is activated by simultaneously pressing the left and right bias push-buttons.


An Automatic Feeder fitted to your BOLA is the ideal way to make the coach’s job easier. It is now possible for the coach to observe a batsman's technique from any position. He can, therefore, make a more educated assessments of technical flaws and how to correct them. The Automatic Feeder helps to further optimise the time spent coaching or practising and ensures that a minimum of deliveries go to waste. The key-fob remote on/off switch allows the batsman or coach to interrupt the bowling sequence whenever required for that essential coaching tip or just for a well earned rest. The Automatic Feeder holds 28 balls and will feed at 2 selectable time intervals of 7 or 11 seconds.

In 2008 the Feeders circuitry was updated. In order that the batsman can time his or her shot correctly both audio and visual cues are now given. The actuator mechanism has been improved to give an over-arm feed. When the sequence is started there is an audible warning bleeper and ultrabright LED indicator. A further LED and bleep gives advance warning of the ball being released. To start the sequence, press the key-fob remote control button once. Stop the sequence the same way. Easy to set up and very effective in use.

Introduced in 2000 and further updated for 2010, the BOLA 'Professional’ has a completely unique ‘Electronic Random Delivery Mode’ to allow batsmen to play against a variety of deliveries. The microprocessor programme incorporates a random setting which when activated through the feeder will alter the speed or the amount of swing imparted on each ball. These parameters are factory set to ensure that given a neutral setting on the stumps all deliveries should be playable but different. This is particularly useful for solo practice using the automatic feeder but players wishing to access the random mode whilst hand feeding can purchase a plug-in module which will trigger the random mode in place of the feeder. Players of all standards across the world have become used to the accuracy and consistency of the BOLA machines. This latest development combines those tried and tested attributes with a new dimension of competitive practice.

Millfield School in Somerset were among the first customers to purchase a BOLA with the random delivery function. “The random facility improves shot selection when older pupils practice with the feeder,” explained Cricket Professional Mark Davis. “The random facility makes sure that the first movement is not pre-emptive and that every ball is played on it’s merits”. Once again the BOLA has provided the bowling machine user with that little bit extra!


All BOLA Machines are fitted with a large ball joint for major alterations to line and length settings. The BOLA ‘Professional’ and 'Club’ Machines complement this with ‘vernier adjusters’ for positive fine adjustment. These enable the operator to alter the line and length with a simple turn of a screw. When combined with the machines accurate one mph increments of speed it allows you to bowl a quicker or slower ball on the same spot. This saves valuable time in setting up and maximises time in those all too short indoor net sessions. Simple to use and extremely effective.


The BOLA is a versatile source of ball deliveries which can be used to practice a variety of fielding and wicketkeeping skills. In 2008 BOLA introduced a Gimballed Turntable which is used with a BOLA Hockey Machine for advanced fielding drills. The wheels of the Hockey Machine are kinder to leather cricket balls which are preferred for fielding practice. England Head Coach Peter Moores was among the first users of the turntable and said, ”The BOLA Fielding Machine allows the coach the ability to monitor the speed and direction of the ball and is a considerable advantage when it comes to
measuring improvement over a period of time.”


BOLA Machines are designed to be used anywhere and are very portable. The machine head can be carried by one person and set up in a few minutes. The BOLA can run from the mains with the optional BOLA Power Pack or alternatively, from a 12 volt battery. Battery operation allows convenient and safe operation at all outdoor locations where mains electricity is not readily available. The updated BOLA control circuitry has improved battery operation times ensuring that your practice sessions never go flat!

The ball throwing wheels fitted to the BOLA Cricket Machines have evolved considerably over the past 25 years. The first BOLAs were fitted with pneumatic wheels which were replaced by a concave solid moulded rubber section wheel (still fitted to the BOLA Hockey Ball Machine). These were in turn superseded on the cricket and baseball machines by a concave section urethane tyre bonded to a cast aluminium wheel. The profile of the wheel is a vital part of the machines accuracy and the hard wearing urethane has shown no appreciable signs of wear in extensive testing and should retain it’s accuracy for over five years regardless of how hard the machine is used.


BOLA Stands accept any BOLA machine with no modification required. They enable machines to be easily wheeled around without dismantling and so maximise the time in use. They also address the Health and Safety issues which arise from operating a Bowling Machine. Stands provide operators with almost complete protection from the ball hit back by the batsman and drastically reduce set-up time and the potential of handling damage to the machine. The Full-Sized Stand (pictured right) also offers a stable standing platform for safe operation. The Compact Stand has a smaller storage ‘footprint’ and adjustable machine operation height.


The BOLA is happy to deliver almost any ball of about the right size including real cricket balls which will not damage the wheels in any way. Best accuracy is obtained using the BOLA Dimpled Practice Balls. The dimples stabilise the ball in flight like a golf ball and keep the flight of the ball consistent. BOLA supply 5oz and 3oz (softer with higher bounce) balls. More...


Twenty-five years of use in a wide variety of environments has proved the BOLA’s ability to stand the test of time. Whilst the BOLA has improved immeasurably since it’s launch, many of the machines built in the middle 1980s are still in regular use. Stan Gilchrist, father of Adam and a cricket coach in New South Wales, has had his BOLA Machine in constant use for over thirteen years.
The new BOLAs are designed and built in such a way that in the event of on site repairs being necessary, the machines can be quickly dismantled without specialist tools for the fitting of replacement parts which can be easily obtained from the factory. Today’s BOLA user can expect excellent long term reliability and great value for money. The latest innovations are expected to further enhanced the life expectancy of the BOLA Machine and ensure that it remains the World’s No.1 Bowling Machine.

Now available from Willowizard Australia Here Online in our estore or call 0424003237

Cricket bats are made from 2 main raw materials, English willow and Sarawak cane.

Cricket Bat Willow

The species of English willow used is Salix Alba Caerulea with the literal meaning White Willow. This is the only willow species used because of its strength and lightness.

Cricket bat willow trees are grown throughout the UK and generally a tree is a minimum of 15 years old before felling and has a minimum girth of 1.4 metres (56 inches). The trees are then sawn into rounds of 70 centimetre (28 inch) lengths and naturally split into clefts before they are seasoned naturally or by kiln assisted driers.

By the time a cleft is ready to manufacture it is around 4 - 4½ lb in weight and down to 10-12% moisture content. Any less moisture makes the cleft lighter, but extremely brittle. Clefts are graded on their straightness of grain, numbers of grains, colouration and any blemishes such as knots and stains.

The best clefts have straight even grains with no blemishes and no colouration. Generally a narrow grained bat is from an older tree and is more brittle and a wider grain is from a younger tree and is softer.

The optimum piece of wood will have 8-10 grains. Many people like narrow grains, but because of its age and brittleness, it will not last very long.

For more information on cricket bat willow visit www.cricketbatwillow.com

Cricket Bat Cane

Sarawak cane is sourced from Malaysia and is imported into the UK in 2 basic thicknesses, thick and thin. The thick cane makes 1 piece handles with traditionally 1 rubber spring insert and the thin pieces are laminated together to make 9 or 12 piece handles with 2 or 3 rubber spring inserts.

Sarawak is graded by straightness and evenness of the stranding. The best pieces of cane are straight with even strands. Cane is used in the handle for its stiffness, lightness and natural strength. All these characteristics are needed when striking the ball at over 100mph. Cane is delivered in pole lengths of around 1.5 metres (60 inches) in length.

Manufacturing

Willow Preparation

The clefts of willow arrive at the factory roughly sawn and waxed at each end, which is done to prevent splitting when drying. The first job is to saw the cleft to length removing the waxed ends. The second job is to plane the face to reveal a clean workable surface. At this stage the blade is ready for the key process in making any cricket bat, pressing.

The pressing process gives the face of the cleft a case hardening to withstand the force of striking a ball. The basic philosophy of pressing is that the compacted fibres on the face spring with the soft open fibres in the back of the cleft.

The knocking in process is essential before play as this eases the initial compactness of the pressing. The more knocking in done eases this compactness and allows the bat to perform and spring better when striking the ball. This is why a bat will get better with age. Unless blades are pressed correctly bats do not perform.

Cleft Back Preparation

Once the cleft is pressed the back is roughly planed to give the basic shape of a cricket bat blade. This rough shaping will vary dependent of the final model shape to be made. At this point the cleft is ready to be fitted with a cane handle.

Handle Construction

Single Spring Handle

The Sarawak poles are cut to length 30 centimetres (12 inches) and then sawn down the centre to approximately two thirds of the length of cane. Rubber, Cork or a mixture of both are then inserted into the sawn centre and glued with woodwork PVA glue. The handle is left for 24 hours for the glue to set and then it is ready for turning. The cane piece is then put into a lathe and turned to the basic handle shape. The basic shapes will either be round, tapered or oval shaped.

Shoulders & Toes

Once the splice has set the toes are shaped and shoulders cut out. These are cut by spindle cutters to give the basic shape for the bat makers to work from

Hand Shaping

From this point all bats are hand shaped and crafted to each piece of wood’s characteristics. The bat makers lovingly shape the willow by manual planers & spoke shaves to maximise each cleft of wood’s optimum balance. Once the initial shape has been done by hand the bat is then sanded and polished to a perfect finish.

Shaping in modern times can also be done on large copying lathes or CNC computerising cutting machines. This takes the skill and art out of bat making as although every bat comes off the same it will not optimise a bat’s balance as each piece of wood is uniquely different and will need different care and attention. After all bat making is not engineering it is a skilled craft.

Binding

The bat handle is now bound with string. This adds strength to the handle and helps when fitting the rubber grip. The string is bound onto the handle whilst the bat is held in a lathe (this is why there is a hole in the toe of the bat) and glued with normal woodworking PVA glue.

Finishing

The bat is now ready for finishing where the rubber grip is applied by cone or blown on and glued. Decals are applied for the appropriate model and specialised tapes are applied for the right finish. Finally the toe guard is applied for the finishing touch and the bat is ready for sale.

Refer to Terms and Conditions page
All our cricket bats have a warranty of 3 months. Each bat repair will be evaluated individualy.

          

  Sportsfield linemarking

• Make your local oval/pitch look like a major stadium
• measured and marked out from scratch
• fields marked regularly
• High quality toro linemarker paint and machine
• qualified and experienced turf curator/groundsman (20years)
• multiple color marking available
• AFL football
• Soccer
• rugby union
• rugby league
• Touch rugby
• Running tracks

Our linemarking team have extensive experience marking AFL club training fields and
A league soccer training fields, havent you always wanted your pitch markings straight or your oval actually OVAL here is your chance . 

EMAIL brad@willowizard.com.au or CALL BRAD ON 0412409399 FOR A QUOTE.

 Terms of Sale

1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONI

1.11 IN THESE CONDITIONS:



Contract means any contract for the sale of goods and/or the supply of services between us and you into which these Conditions are incorporated;

Conditions means the standard terms and conditions of sale set out herein, including any special terms and conditions agreed in writing by us and attached here to;

Goods means the goods and/or services which we shall supply in accordance with these Conditions, details of which are set out overleaf;

We means Willowizard Australia, and “us” and “our” shall be construed accordingly;

You means the customer whose details are set out overleaf, and “your” shall be construed accordingly.

1.2 The headings in these Conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.

1.3 All rights expressly reserved by or granted to us by these Conditions shall be without prejudice to any other rights which we may have from time to time.

1.4 Unless expressly stated otherwise, where rights and decisions are to be exercised or made at our discretion, then we shall be under no duty or obligation to you to justify or provide a reason for the decision.

1.5 Unless expressly stated otherwise, where our prior written consent is required in these Conditions, then we shall be under no obligation not to unreasonably withhold or delay in giving that consent.



2. BASIS OF SALE



2.1 These Conditions shall apply to all Contracts for the sale of Goods by us to you by telephone or through our website to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions including any terms or conditions which you may purport to apply under any purchase order, and no variation of these Conditions shall be binding unless agreed in writing by us and attached hereto. These Conditions set out the entire agreement to the exclusion of all other terms and conditions.

2.2 Our employees or agents are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Goods unless confirmed by us in writing. In entering into a Contract you acknowledge that you do not rely on any such representations which are not so confirmed.

2.3 Where the Goods are to be delivered by instalments, each instalment shall constitute a separate Contract. Failure by us to deliver any instalment shall not entitle you to treat the Contract as repudiated.

2.4 All specifications, drawings and particulars of prices, weights, dimensions and performance issued by us are approximate only and are not intended to form the basis of any Contract.



3 ORDERS AND SPECIFICATIONS



3.1 No order submitted by you shall be deemed to have been accepted by us unless and until confirmed by us. All orders are subject to availability and on a first-come first-served basis. Goods cannot be reserved, and we reserve the right to refuse to accept an order.

3.2 You shall be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the terms of any order submitted by you, and for giving us any necessary information relating to the Goods within a sufficient time to enable us to perform the Contract in accordance with these Conditions

3.3 If the Goods are to be manufactured or any process is to be applied to the Goods by us in accordance with a specification submitted by you, you shall indemnify us against all loss, damages, costs and expenses awarded against or incurred by us in connection with or paid or agreed to be paid by us in settlement of any claim for infringement of any patent, copyright, design right, trade mark or other intellectual property rights of any other person which results from our use of your specification. We reserve the right to make changes in the specification of the Goods which are required to conform with any applicable statutory or Australian requirements.



4 PRICE OF THE GOODS



4.1 The price of the Goods shall be our quoted price. All prices and price information were correct at the time of publishing, and are subject to change without notice. The quoted prices are for online or telephone purchases only, and may not be the same as in our mail order catalogues.

4.2 We reserve the right, by giving notice to you at any time before delivery, to increase the price of the Goods to reflect any increase in the cost to us which is due to any factor beyond our reasonable control, any change in delivery dates, quantities or specifications for the Goods which are requested by you, or any delay caused by your instructions or your failure to give us adequate information or instructions. You will be asked to re-confirm your order at the new price.

4.3 Except as otherwise agreed in writing by us, all prices are given by us on an ex works basis, and where we agree to deliver the Goods otherwise than at our premises, you will be liable to pay our charges for transport, packaging and insurance.

4.4 The price is inclusive of any applicable value added tax which you shall automatically be liable to pay to us. Any changes in the rate of value added tax will result in an automatic change in our quoted prices.

4.5 We reserve the right to alter the specification of products as necessary and offer an equivalent or better product in the event of stock anomalies.



5. TERMS OF PAYMENT



5.1 Please see our Payment Options for our terms of payment.

5.2 If you fail to make any payment on the due date then we reserve the right to:



(a) cancel the Contract or suspend further deliveries to you;

(b) appropriate any payment made by you to such of the Goods as we may think fit;

and

(c) charge you interest (as well after as before any judgment) on the amount unpaid, at the rate of 5% per annum above ANZ Bank plc base rate from time to time, until payment is made in full, accruing pro rata on a daily basis.



6 DELIVERY



6.1 You shall make all arrangements to take delivery of the Goods whenever they are tendered for delivery.

6.2 Any dates quoted for delivery of the Goods are approximate only and we shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of the Goods howsoever caused. Time for delivery shall not be of the essence of the Contract unless previously agreed in writing by us. We may deliver the Goods in advance of the quoted delivery date upon giving you reasonable notice.

6.3 If we fail to deliver the Goods (or any instalment) for any reason other than any cause beyond our reasonable control or your fault, and we are accordingly liable to you, our liability shall be limited to the excess (if any) of the cost to you (in the cheapest available market) of similar goods to replace those not delivered over the price of the Goods.

6.4 If you fail to take delivery of the Goods or fail to give us adequate delivery instructions at the time stated for delivery then we reserve the right to:



(a) store the Goods until actual delivery and charge you for the reasonable costs (including insurance) of storage; or

(b) sell the Goods at the best price readily obtainable and (after deducting all reasonable storage and selling expenses) account to you for the excess over the price under the Contract or charge you for any shortfall below the price under the Contract.

6.5 Please see our Delivery & Postage policy for postage charges.



7 RISK AND PROPERTY



7.1 Risk of damage to or loss of the Goods shall pass to you in the case of Goods to be delivered otherwise than at our premises, at the time of delivery or, if you fail to take delivery of the Goods, the time when we have tendered delivery of the Goods.

7.2 Notwithstanding delivery and the passing of risk in the Goods or any other provision of these Conditions, the legal and equitable property in the Goods shall not pass to you until we have received in cleared funds payment in full of the price of the Goods.

7.3 Until such time as the property in the Goods passes to you (and provided the Goods are still in existence and have not been resold) we shall be entitled at any time to require you to deliver up the Goods to us and, if you fail to do so forthwith, to enter upon any premises where the Goods are stored and repossess the Goods.



8 WARRANTIES AND LIABILITY



8.1 Subject as expressly provided in these Conditions, and except where the Goods are sold to a person dealing as a consumer (within the meaning of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977), all warranties, conditions or other terms implied by statute or common law are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law. Where the Goods are sold to a person dealing as a consumer, we warrant that the Goods are of satisfactory quality and fit for their normally intended purpose.

8.2 Where the Goods are sold under a consumer transaction (as defined by the Trade Practices Act 1974 and governed by the ACCC) your statutory rights are not affected by these Conditions. Further information on statutory rights can be obtained from www.consumer.gov.au.

8.3 Except in respect of death or personal injury caused by our negligence, we shall not be liable to you by reason of any representation (unless fraudulent), or any implied warranty, condition or other term, or any duty at common law or under the express terms of the Contract, for any indirect, special or consequential loss or damage (whether for loss of profit or otherwise), costs, expenses or other claims for compensation whatsoever (whether caused by our negligence or our employees, agents or otherwise) which arise out of or in connection with the supply of the Goods or their use or resale by you, and our entire liability under or in connection with the Contract shall not exceed the price of the Goods, except as expressly provided in these Conditions.



9 YOUR INSOLVENCY



9.1 If you make any voluntary arrangement, become bankrupt, insolvent or commit any other act of bankruptcy, we reserve the right to cancel the Contract or suspend any further deliveries under the Contract without any liability to you, and if the Goods have been delivered but not paid for the price shall become immediately due and payable notwithstanding any previous agreement or arrangement to the contrary.



10 GENERAL



10.1 We will not liable to you or deemed to be in breach of contract by reason of delay or failure to perform any of the Company’s obligations if the delay or failure to due to act cause beyond our reasonable control.

10.2 These Conditions do not purport to confer a benefit on any third party.

10.3 Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under these Conditions shall be in writing addressed to the other’s principal place of business.

10.4 No waiver by us of any breach of the contract by you shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.

10.5 If any provision of these Conditions are held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the validity of the remainder shall not be affected.

10.6 The Contract and these Conditions shall be governed by the laws of Australia, and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Australian courts.

10.7 We reserve the right to monitor and record telephone calls our staff receive and make in order to monitor staff performance and ensure the highest service possible to our customers.

10.8 All photographs, images and descriptions on this website are the copyright of Willowizard Australia, and may not be reproduced without the express consent of Willowizard Australia.



11. YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL



11.1 If, for any reason you are unhappy with the Goods, you have the right to cancel your order at any time within seven working days on the date of receiving the goods.

11.2 If you wish to cancel before the Goods are despatched, you are asked to contact us by email or phone as soon as reasonably possible.

11.3 If you wish to cancel after the Goods are despatched, please return the Goods to us indicating whether you require an exchange or refund. Please refer to our Returns policy

11.4 Please note that this right of cancellation does not apply where Goods are specifically made to your specification or personalised at your request.



Returns Policy





Willowizard Factory Shop offers a 'No Quibble Guarantee' on all purchases. This means anything bought can be returned as long as it has not been worn and returned in its original packaging.



Willowizard Factory Shop does not offer a free returns service unless the items are deemed faulty or incorrectly sent. In these cases we will refund the postage costs on receipt of your parcel.



If you are not happy with your unworn purchase for any reason, you may return it to us within 14 days of receipt for an immediate replacement or refund. This does not affect your statutory rights.



If you wish to exchange goods that we have sent correctly in accordance with your order we will gladly exchange the items subject to our Handling Charge of $12.00AUD.



Please use the following steps to return your parcel:



* Complete a Returns Note in full. Click this Returns Note Link to view and print off a Returns Note

* Pack your parcel securely making sure you include your Returns Note.

* Label you parcel and return to the address below:



Returns Department

Willowizard Australia

Willowizard Australia
778 Ferntree Gully Road
Wheelers Hill VIc 3150



Take the parcel to the Post Office or reputable national courier. We advise that you use the "Standard Parcel delivery service" if using the post office with the extra compensation option if the goods exceed the value of $60.00AUD (this option should only cost approximately $10.00AUD and will ensure you will be compensated in full should your parcel go missing). Please ensure your parcel is covered for the value of its contents.



Maintaining your Cricket Bat

Willowizard has been making bats for almost 5 years and we are proud of our quality and performance. Each bat is meticulously handcrafted to help give you the performance you need.



Important

In order for you to get the maximum performance out of your bat follow these simply instruction before use otherwise you may jeopardise your warranty.



Ready-Play Bats

If you have purchased a ready-play bat your bat will be knocked-in, fitted with a Toe Guard and either waxed or pro-faced. You can use this bat immediately. However, we do recommend that knocking-in is continued, which will further improve the bat’s performance & resilience.



Knocking In

Cricket bats are a ‘complex tool of trade’ and to get the best results you need to knock in a cricket bat whatever finish you buy. This helps prevent damage when hitting a fast moving cricket ball. Patiently knocking-in the bat with an old ball in a sock, ball mallet or rounded wooden mallet on the face, edges and toe of the blade.



Pay particular emphases to the edges and toe as these are the most vulnerable areas having the least surface area when striking the ball in use, but do not strike the edges and toe full on, strike them as you would hit them with the ball on the front edges only. Striking the edges and toe full on will result in damage.



We recommend that a minimum of 10 working hours over a 2 week period before use including light nets with old balls, before use with a new ball. It should also be stressed you cannot over knock in a cricket bat so the more you do it the better the performance and the more resilient your bat will become.



Finally as bats are made from a natural material everyone is different in characteristics meaning some will need more, and some less knocking in to get the best results.



Supreme Finish



A Supreme finish is a waxed polish finish or a natural blade. This finish needs oiling with Linseed Oil. Apply 2 to 3 light coats with the palm of your hand or a rag to the face, edges and toe areas of the cricket bat never going above the splice area of the blade. This would result in the weakening of the handle. The back of the blade only needs one initial coat avoiding the splice. All this should be done over a period of 2 weeks leaving it horizontal in-between coats. It must be noted that you should never stand a bat in oil and over oiling will damage the performance of your cricket bat.



The Pro-face/Fibre-face finish

The Pro-face/Fibre-face finish has a specialider">Pro-face/Fibre-face Fsed tape over the blade making it a sealed unit. It is designed to stretch both ways to help protect the edges and face of the blade. It should not be removed and only needs oiling in the exposed toe area as per the Supreme finish to help prevent dampness getting into the toe.



Helpful Hints to preserve the life of your cricket bat

Do not use cheap hard cricket balls, as it will only result in unwanted damage. Be sure to use best quality leather cricket balls at all times.



Constant edging will result in damage to your bat. The more you do it the more damage you are likely to occur. Bats are designed to be hit in the 6 to 9 inches from the toe in the centre.



Forcing ‘Yorkers’ out will eventually result in the toe splitting beyond use. Try to block ‘Yorkers’ to prevent serious damage especially on hard artificial or indoor surfaces.



Do not misuse your bat in any way, e.g. knocking stumps in with the blade, hitting net posts, etc.



Do not constantly tap the bat in the crease in wet conditions otherwise the toe will swell and may cause splitting if dried too quickly. Use Linseed Oil to prevent water penetration.



Do not over oil a bat, as it will effect the bat’s performance.



Do not continue to use your bat if damaged as you could aggravate the damage to an unplayable state that could have been simply repaired if it had been inspected in the first instance. We are only at the end of a phone so if you are unsure give us a call or your local stockist. A simple repair can rectify most cases and play can be continued as soon as it is returned giving complete satisfaction.


Repairing your Bat

Cricket bats that are in need of repair, servicing or inspection should be sent to the address below carriage paid with a covering letter of the what needs to be inspected and/or done to the bat along with full contact details:

Bat Repair Dept

Willowizard Australia
778 Ferntree Gully Road 
Wheelers Hill Vic 3150