Monster Bat Incident 1771

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.

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