What is Mongoose Bat and why did its use die off?

It is no secret that cricket is one of the most-followed sports across the globe. In some Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the craze for the sport is just unreal. Earlier, the sport had only two formats, i.e. Tests and ODIs.

As the years went on, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to come up with a T20 format, specifically made for entertainment purposes. It turned out to be a masterstroke move as the format lured scores of supporters.

The success of the T20 World Cup 2007 paved the way for India’s premier T20 tournament, so-called the Indian Premier League. Ever since its inception, fans in the cricketing universe have expanded from across quarters.

From batters smashing boundaries and maximums to bowlers taking wickets and from fielders taking acrobatic catches to brilliant fielding efforts to stop the flow of runs, the cricket fraternity has seen it all in the IPL.

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What is Mongoose Bat and why did its use diminish from the sport?

At one point, “Mongoose Bat” was the most-talked-about subject. Remember when Australia’s batting great Matthew Hayden walked out with a mysterious bat in his hand during the third edition of the Indian Premier League?

Much to everyone’s surprise, Matthew Hayden came out with a Mongoose bat rather than a customary-sized bat during the game against the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL 2010 season. The southpaw enjoyed playing with the bat as he scored a scintillating 93 off 43 balls.

Hayden struck as many as nine fours and seven sixes to his name. For the record, the willow was designed and manufactured by the British company Mongoose. The bat comes entirely in a different size altogether, and it gives a weird or mysterious appeal because the bat’s handle is 43% longer.

It drew attention among fans in the cricket fraternity and it had some takers for a few years as well. Needless to say, its use totally fell off later on because the size of the willow makes it quite tough for defensive batting purposes.

The former Australian even reiterated that Willow did help him improve his game as against the critics that countered its use. The long handle with only a restricted wooden block doesn’t fit the bill in terms of defensive strokes and batters can get injured easily.

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