LOCKYER TO USE CONTROVERSIAL 'DIFFUSER' BAT [17/04/09 13:14:50]
A new word has entered the sporting lexicon over the last few weeks thanks to a typically complex row that threatens to split village cricket right down the middle. News bulletins have been led by items about 'diffusers' - a critical part of the design of some new cricket bats, but one that was largely unknown outside most village greens until the last few weeks.
Aerodynamics are crucial to the performance of a cricket bat - they define how much downforce it creates, and therefore how fast it can come down the line and hit the ball to the boundary. And the diffuser, which is at the back of the bat underneath the splice, is one of the most important single parts in creating that downforce.
An argument about the diffusers on new bats first came about when the Whalebone's talented all-rounder Andy Lockyer (pictured right) signed an agreement which will see him use the 'double-decker' design for the 2009 season.
His fellow players at Abberton were shocked when the Whalebone's free-scoring batsman arrived at pre-season nets with his new willow boasting that a five figure deal had been agreed with the manufacturers. This website is unable to publish a picture of the design as local leagues are challenging the legality of the modification in the courts.
However, Just FO Bats, manufacturers of the new device, believe that its use will turn batting minnows into true supertstars and predict a massive increase in the number of runs scored by contracted players this year.
They received a boost this week when a similar 'enhancement' fitted to the cars used by Brawn Grand Prix, Toyota and Williams in Formula 1 was ruled legal by judges in that sport's Court of Appeal in Paris.
The new bats will not generally be available for sale in the UK until 2010 and so all eyes will be on the likes of Lockyer and his co-users during the forthcoming summer months. In another move, it is understood that the Hungarian Cricket Federation is concerned that the bat affords an unfair advantage and are considering banning Lockyer from the Whalebone's forthcoming tour of their country.
Lockyer was unavailable for comment today as he was in strict training at an unisclosed location to continue his domination of the local pool scene.
