Here is an overview of what is going!

So what are Grade A, B & C Cricket Bat?

Grade A bats may be used in all cricket.
Grade B bats may be used in all cricket except professional cricket.
Grade C bats may not be used in professional cricket or top amateur cricket – eg Premier Leagues, Grade Cricket

Whose grading the Bat? 

M.C.C. considered various options for approving the grading of a cricket bat and has decided that self-certification by the manufacturers is the easiest option for all parties. Consequently, it will be for manufacturers to decide into which Grade of bat each of their designs falls. Once a bat has been produced, the manufacturer must show the grade to which the bat conforms by placing a sticker or brand on the back or shoulders of the blade or on the top of the handle. These stickers or brands should not include the M.C.C. monogram. The grading is based on the table above

What do you mean, materials in the handle?

There will obviously be a lot of legal but ungraded bats in the shops. There is no need to get these graded – provided the bats are legal, retailers can sell current stock even though bats do not display gradings. However, retailers may be keen for the bats to carry a grade, so they appear more up to date. M.C.C. suggests that retailers could, if they so wished, consult manufacturers about grading particular bats and, if the manufacturers give approval and consent, apply stickers or brands themselves. Theses should be supplied by the manufacturers, who are advised to keep a record of what advice on grading has been given to retailers. It is important that all bats are correctly graded and manufacturers and retailers should work together on this. 

So when does this all start? 

In professional cricket, only Grade A bats may be used from 1st October 2008

In amateur cricket there needs to be much more flexibility. Any bat purchased by an amateur player may be used until the end of its natural life, providing it was legal under the previous version of Law 6.  The M.C.C. decided that setting a time limit to this phasing out period would be unfair to players who had bought bats in good faith. A time limit has been set, however, beyond which they cannot be sold, which is April 2009. Moreover, it is likely that eventually Leagues and Competitions will themselves set a time limit on the use of such bats.

What about Protection and repair?
As long as the blade isn’t changed to the extent it damages the ball it is allowed solely for the purposes of either protection from surface damage to the face, sides and shoulders of the blade.

Material is not allowed to extend over any part of the back of the blade except in the case of  repair and then only when it is applied as a continuous wrapping covering the damaged area.

Solid material may be inserted into the blade for repair after damage other than surface damage. Additionally, for protection from damage for Grades B and C, material may be inserted at the toe and/or along the sides, parallel to the face of the blade.

The only material permitted for any insertion is wood with minimal essential adhesives.

Toe insert -[Inserts to strength the toe]  Grade A bats may not have a toe insert placed in them. Grade B and C bats may have a toe insert fitted inside the blade, using minimal adhesive. This insert must not extend from the toe more than 2.5 in/6.35 cm up the blade at any point.  Toe guards are still allowed in all forms

Side insert – [Inserts to strength the sides] Grade A bats may not have side inserts placed in them. Grade B and C bats may have side inserts fitted. Neither side– Grade A bats may not have a toe insert placed in them. Grade B and C bats may have a toe insert fitted inside the blade, using minimal adhesive. This insert must not extend from the toe more than 2.5 in/6.35 cm up the blade at any point.

I will make some comments on this soon but you guys go ahead 1st if you like

All SAF Cricket Bats adhere to the new laws from the MCC and can be graded as Grade A

Andy
Podshaver for San Andreas Fault Cricket Bats
Handmade Cricket Bats

Have a Cricket Bat related question email me