Description

Limited Edition Mongoose Twenty20 Bat with short blade and a purple and black rubber handle grip. Large scale ‘Mongoose’ logos on both side of the blade. Signed by Matthew Hayden, used in IPL, scored 77

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1:6 TN.2011.49 Limited Edition Mongoose Twenty20 Bat of Mathew Hayden, 2010 Recent changes to the Laws of Cricket have included new maximum bat dimensions, width 108 mm, depth 67 mm and edge 40 mm. This has been prompted by the steady increase in bat thickness, that some feel lead to batsmen having an unfair advantage over bowlers. The advent of Twenty20 cricket has emphasised more than ever the offensive aspect of batting. One bat in the collection that would be illegal under this new law would be the Mongoose, rather uncharitably called “a half-brick on a stick” by Stuart Law. It made its debut with Matthew Hayden in the IPL, where he proceeded to hit 93 off 43 balls, including nine fours and seven sixes. Whilst visiting the museum Hayden confirmed that despite its unusual shape you still hit the ball in that ‘sweet spot’, but due to the shorter blade the power is concentrated on a wide arc of swing. This bat was tested and approved by Marylebone Cricket Club Laws & University Department in 2009. One bat sadly missing from the MCC collection is the infamous ComBat aluminium bat, used by Dennis Lillee. According to his 1979 autobiography, ‘Menace’, the decision to use the metal bat in the Test was purely a marketing exercise. However, after this episode the ICC & MCC decreed that all bats must be made from a single piece of wood. Any information or suggestions about any of our exhibits is most welcome. Please ask a member of staff for a form or for contact details.