Willow Cricket Bats Are Handmade Using Traditional Techniques

CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Oliver Wright, a Director at J.S. Wright & Sons, examines the drying willow clefts which will be sawn down to be made into cricket bats on June 30, 2009 in Chelmsford, England. J.S. Wright & Sons are the worlds oldest and largest established company supplying English cricket bat willow to various bat manufacturers. They supply willow "clefts" from which the bats are cut and handles added. Sales of cricket bats are expected to increase sharply in the coming months due to The Ashes series being played in the UK and commencing on July 8, 2009. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)