NEXX Cricket Frequently Asked Questions
In short, our XX3 range is a more premium product aimed at the mid to top level of the amateur game, standard wise.
The XX1 range offers great protection and quality at the next level down from XX3, aimed at club players and those new to the game.
Both ranges are excellent quality equipment and are the same size.
NEXX operates online only. If you have any questions about our products or would like further information, please do get in touch with us using the online chat feature on this website, we'd be happy to help.
NEXX offers two sizes of cricket batting pads and gloves: women's (size 3) and girl's (size 2).
Each of these sizes have been developed specifically for female players.
As a guide, our girl's range is aimed at 10-15 year olds with the women's range for 15+. Of course, everyone is different, so please take a look at our size guide for measurement info, or get in touch using the online chat and we'll be happy to help.
Cricket bats are primarily made from two types of willow: English willow and Kashmir willow.
All NEXX cricket bats are handmade in the UK using English willow, well known as the best wood for making cricket bats.
Willow is graded based on its quality.
For English willow, there are generally five grades, with Grade 1 being the highest quality and Grade 5 the lowest.
NEXX cricket bats are made from either Grade 1 or Grade 2 willow. We have an 'exclusive' grade, which is the very best of Grade 1 wood.
At this end of the scale, the choice of grade has minimal impact on performance and is largely cosmetic.
The lower the grade (2 is lowest) the more likely it is to have some blemishes on the wood or inconsistent space between grains.
One of the most frequently asked questions by cricketers, especially those new to the game, is whether their cricket bats need knocking in.
Knocking in is the process of hardening and conditioning the surface of a cricket bat. This is done by gently striking the bat's face and edges with a specialised bat mallet or an old cricket ball.
The aim is to compress the fibers of the willow to make it less susceptible to cracking or damage when it comes into contact with the ball.
The Knocking-In Process
Here’s a step-by-step guide to knocking in your cricket bat:
Start with the Mallet: Using a bat mallet, gently tap the face of the bat, gradually increasing the force. Focus on the middle and the edges, but avoid hitting the edges directly. This process should take around 6 hours, broken into shorter sessions.
Work on the Edges: Gradually knock in the edges by angling the mallet. Be careful not to hit the edges directly as this can cause damage. This should take about 1-2 hours.
Check for Seam Marks: After a few hours of knocking in, test the bat by hitting an old cricket ball. If the ball leaves seam marks on the bat, it needs more knocking in.
Final Touches: Continue knocking in until the bat shows no visible seam marks from the ball. This indicates that the bat is ready for use in nets with an old ball and then progressively move to new balls and finally match play.
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NEXX Cricket will be happy to repair or replace any product that is deemed faulty through fair usage.
All repairs and replacements are subject to the assessment of NEXX Cricket.
In the unlikely event that one of your NEXX products needs replacing or repairing, please get in touch.
If your cricket bat is looking a little worse for wear after a hard season and you want to treat it to a refurbishment, or if you have damage to your bat and you'd like to get it repaired we can help.
Cricket bats can suffer all sorts of damage and the good news is that most bats can be repaired.
We'll happily repair any brand of cricket bat, so even if your bat isn't a NEXX, we can still help you.
If you need a refurbishment to keep your bat looking good as new, please get in touch.