Ban on cricket bat hits Hove brothers for six

8:18pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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Two brothers who developed a revolutionary new cricket bat have been hit for six by a rule change banning their invention.

Nick and Tim Keeley, of John Newbery, based in Hove, spent six years and more than £100,000 coming up with an advanced, lightweight carbon-fibre handle to replace the traditional cane and rubber ones used throughout the world.

Every effort had been made to win the support of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the organisation in charge of the sport's laws, to make sure their invention was legal.

A prototype was approved in 2003 and the bat went on sale last September.

But now the Keeleys are seeking compensation after MCC members voted last night to change Law Six, which governs the use of bats.

For years cricket bats have been getting bigger but lighter, leading to fears that batsmen are finding it too easy to wallop massive sixes out of grounds, and the law change will ban the use of carbon fibre in handles.

Nick Keeley, who has been making bats with his brother for more than 30 years, said: "It is very disappointing. It took us nearly six years to make it work.

"The problem was that the blade must only be made of wood and it is very difficult to get the carbon fibre handle to stick to the blade.

"That is why we kept going to the MCC and made sure we did everything they asked.

"The MCC have been to our factory, looked at the handle and did not say anything. I don't think they should be able to change the regulations whenever they want."

The firm has already sold more than 1,500 bats at £299 each but the Keeleys will still be a long way off recouping their investment when the bats are made illegal on October 1.

Nick claims they are the victims of their own success because a number of other manufacturers have tried and failed to utilise carbon fibre.

He said: "We have been punished because everyone else is doing it willy-nilly without asking the MCC.

"The bigger manufacturers knew they can't do it so they kicked up a fuss.

"They didn't have enough brains to come up with a carbon handle which worked and was accepted by the MCC."

A spokesman for the MCC said: "The overriding issue is the laws of cricket and we have consulted with bat manufacturers around the world. It is about keeping the balance between bat and ball which is fundamental to the game of cricket."

The MCC will try to help John Newbury by allowing the firm to sell the bats beyond October 1 in order to limit any losses.

The spokesman added: "We are in negotiations with Newbery over a period of phase-out' that will alleviate some of the financial loss.

"Over and above that, compensation is not something we are discussing."

Has the MCC misled John Newberry or is it right to rule the bats out? Tell us what you think below.