Monster Bat Incident 1771
Encyclopedia
The Monster Bat Incident 1771 concerns an attempt to use a bat
that was as wide as the wicket
, during a cricket match between Chertsey
and Hambledon
at Laleham Burway
that lasted from 23 September to 24 September 1771. Controversy arose when Chertsey's Thomas White
attempted to use the bat, while the Hambledon players objected. Ultimately Hambledon won the match by one run . The incident is occasionally ascribed to "Shock" White
, a contemporary of Thomas White, but they were different players.
Afterwards, a formal protest was written by Thomas Brett
and signed by himself, Richard Nyren
and John Small. The incident brought about a change in the Laws of cricket
, as confirmed in 1774, whereby the maximum width of the bat was set at four and one quarter inches. This ruling has remained intact to the present day.
Cricket bat
A cricket bat is a specialised piece of equipment used by batsmen in the sport of cricket to hit the ball. It is usually made of willow wood. Its use is first mentioned in 1624....
that was as wide as the wicket
Wicket
In the sport of cricket the word wicket has several distinct meanings:-Definitions of wicket:Most of the time, the wicket is one of the two sets of three stumps and two bails at either end of the pitch...
, during a cricket match between Chertsey
Chertsey Cricket Club
Chertsey Cricket Club in Surrey is one of the oldest in England. Its own website dates its founding as 1737 but in fact matches involving a Chertsey team date from 1736....
and Hambledon
Hambledon Club
The Hambledon Club was a social club that is famous for its organisation of 18th century cricket matches. By the late 1770s it was the foremost cricket club in England.-Foundation:...
at Laleham Burway
Laleham Burway
Laleham Burway is a tract of meadow land on the River Thames near Chertsey in Surrey. Part of it was a famous major cricket venue in the 18th century and the home of Chertsey Cricket Club.-Earliest known matches:...
that lasted from 23 September to 24 September 1771. Controversy arose when Chertsey's Thomas White
Thomas White (cricketer)
Thomas "Daddy" White was a noted English cricketer.White played in the 1760s and 1770s; details of his early career are largely unknown but he retired in 1779. He is known to have appeared frequently for Surrey and All-England since recorded scorecards first became commonplace in 1772...
attempted to use the bat, while the Hambledon players objected. Ultimately Hambledon won the match by one run . The incident is occasionally ascribed to "Shock" White
Shock White
Shock White was a noted English cricketer of the mid-18th century who played for Middlesex. He has often been mistaken for Thomas "Daddy" White but there is no doubt at all that he was a different player altogether. His first name and the source of his nickname are unknown...
, a contemporary of Thomas White, but they were different players.
Afterwards, a formal protest was written by Thomas Brett
Thomas Brett
Thomas Brett was one of first-class cricket's earliest well-known fast bowlers and a leading player for Hampshire when its team was organised by the Hambledon Club in the 1770s.-Career:Noted for his pace and his accuracy, Brett was a leading wicket taker in the 1770s and was lauded by John...
and signed by himself, Richard Nyren
Richard Nyren
Richard "Dick" Nyren was an English professional cricketer who played first-class cricket during the 1760s and 1770s in the heyday of the Hambledon Club...
and John Small. The incident brought about a change in the Laws of cricket
Laws of cricket
The laws of cricket are a set of rules established by the Marylebone Cricket Club which describe the laws of cricket worldwide, to ensure uniformity and fairness. There are currently 42 laws, which outline all aspects of how the game is played from how a team wins a game, how a batsman is...
, as confirmed in 1774, whereby the maximum width of the bat was set at four and one quarter inches. This ruling has remained intact to the present day.