The battle between batter and bowler has always been the central drama of cricket, with the rules of the game supposed to offer balance between the two. In 1771 though, things were a little less defined, so when a batter stomped out to the crease with a bat that was as wide as the stumps, it was technically perfectly legal. The opposing team, unsurprisingly having none of it, snatched the bat and took it to a nearby carpenter to shave it down to size. A few days later the first formal rules about bat size were introduced.
Why are we telling you this? Because it was more than two centuries ago and these four lucky winners of the Tring Park Cricket Club Double Century draw can splash out on some extra linseed oil:
At this point of the year, as cricket bats are being put into hibernation, do take five minutes to give them a little raw linseed oil. You’ll thank yourself in the spring.
If you'd like to join the TPCC Double Century draw and support the club, pick up an entry form behind the bar. Each share costs £52 per year or £13 per quarter, which works out as a mere £4.25 per month. You can buy as many shares as you like, with half of the money that you put in going directly to the club and the other half into the prize fund for the monthly draw.