Just bought a brand-new cricket bat and need some help Knocking it in? The Greg Chappell Cricket Centre has you covered!

If you wish to prepare your new bat yourself, we have a How-To guide in the video below - 

Alternatively, read on to find out about the Professional In-Store Bat Knocking-In Services offered by the GCCC - 

At the Greg Chappell Cricket Centre, we want you to walk out to the crease with complete confidence. English willow is a beautiful, natural, and soft timber designed to strike a hard leather ball—but before your new blade ever faces a bowler, it needs to be properly prepared!

To ensure your bat performs at its peak and your manufacturer warranty remains fully protected, we offer expert, professional In-Store Knocking-In Services across all of our locations nationwide.

Please Note: We have updated our services to focus entirely on precision preparation. The previously offered Match Ready service is not currently available. However, bat knocking-ins are now handled exclusively through our In-Store Service, ensuring your bat receives dedicated, hands-on attention from our expert GCCC Kit Crew & it is ready for you to use faster!

 

Our In-Store Knocking-In Services

Whether you bought your bat from us or brought in an external favorite, we’ll Knock the bat so it's structurally sound and ready for you to test at the nets.

1. GCCC Standard Knocked-In Service

Our core service to structuralize and harden the willow face, providing the crucial baseline compression your bat needs before facing leather.

This Service includes:
Pressing of Bat
Hand Knocking of Toe
Hand Knocking of Edges
Extratec Applied


GCCC Purchased Bats: $75 (Member Price)

Externally Purchased Bats: $110 (Member Price)

2. GCCC Priority Knocked-In Service

In a rush for am upcoming game or pre-season training? Jump the queue with our fast-tracked turnaround option.

GCCC Purchased Bats: $95 (Member Price)

Externally Purchased Bats: $135 (Member Price)

 

Cricketers Please Note

  • Additional charges may apply for cleaning /repairing bats that have been used, pressed, poorly knocked/oiled or damaged.
  • Please be aware, there are strictly no returns once the knocking in service is underway or completed.
  • You will still be required to "Play In" your new bat following these services, prior to Match Use. Throw downs & net sessions are required to assess YOUR bat. Some bats are made of softer willow than others & may require additional "Playing In".


Why Choose The GCCC In-Store Service?

Most cricket bat manufacturers will void a warranty if a bat breaks due to insufficient or poor preparation - so not preparing your new cricket bat will jeopardize your warranty.
Our GCCC In-Store service will help you get your bat well on the way to "Match Ready", so that you can get to the "playing-In" stage, faster!

No Commercial "Strapped-In" Machines: GCCC strictly advises against automated commercial machines that strap a bat down and smash it uniformly. These frequently cause deep bruising to the willow or immediate shoulder damage.

Hand-Guided Precision: Our specialised in-store process is carefully monitored by hand, allowing our crew to adjust the impact force and spend extra time on the specific areas your unique willow cleft needs most.

Add Crucial Extra Protection In-Store

While your bat is with us for its knocking-in service, we highly recommend adding these vital defensive features to protect the most vulnerable zones of the blade:

Toe Guard / Toe Goo Application: Protects the bottom of your bat from structural splits caused by damp pitches or digging out lethal yorkers. This is a requirement for warranties as toe damage from damp wickets, tapping, sliding etc is not a manufacturing fault.

Grip Modifications: Ask our team to fit an extra grip or anti-slip additions for ultimate feel at the crease.

 

Ready to prep your blade?

Simply head into your nearest Greg Chappell Cricket Centre location and our expert Kit Crew will get you sorted.

Have questions about our current turnaround times? Give our national customer service hotline a buzz on 1800 469 928 or email us at enquire@cricketcentre.com.au.