Law 6 (The Bat) 1. Width and length The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches/96.5cm in length. The blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 4 1/4 in/10.8cm at the widest part. 2. Covering the blade The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or repair. Such material shall not exceed 1/16 in/1.56mm in thickness, and shall not be likely to cause unacceptable damage to the ball. 3. Hand or glove to count as part of bat :  In these Laws, (a) reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman. (b) contact between the ball andeither (i) the striker's bat itself or (ii) the striker's hand holding the bat or (iii) any part of a glove worn on the striker's hand holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat, or being struck by the bat.