In the summer of 1981/82, Duncan Fearnley, a leading manufacturer of cricket bats, did something revolutionary. They offered a money-back guarantee on their cricket bats. The guarantee stated that if a customer scored fewer runs in the upcoming season with their Duncan Fearnley bat than they did the previous season with their old bat, provided it could be verified by their club secretary, they could return the bat for a full refund. This was an unprecedented and revolutionary promotion like no other.

The idea of a money-back guarantee on cricket bats was unheard of at the time, but Duncan Fearnley was confident in their product, and they wanted to prove it. The guarantee showed that the company believed in the quality of their bats and that they were willing to stand behind them. This offer was a massive risk for the company, but it also had the potential to be a game-changer for their business.

Duncan Fearnley cricket bats were used by some splendid cricketers, including Allan Border, Ian Botham, David Hookes, Greg Matthews, Graeme Hick, and Tom Moody, to name a few. These players recognised the quality of the Duncan Fearnley bats and trusted them to perform at the highest level.

As we conclude, one cannot help but wonder about the outcome of the Duncan Fearnley run scoring money-back guarantee. Did it become a successful marketing strategy? Did it achieve its intended purpose of boosting sales and customer satisfaction? From what we can tell, there are no other examples of this kind of promotion, do you think something like this would work in 2023?

Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage – The Cricket Library

In this episode of The Cricket Library Podcast, Dutch international Paul van Meekeren takes us inside one of the most remarkable journeys in modern cricket. From a six-over thriller where he claimed four wickets against Ireland, to battling through shin splints in his very first international appearance, Paul opens up on the resilience it takes to survive and thrive as an Associate cricketer. We dive into the unforgettable high of becoming the first Dutch homegrown player to win the Caribbean Premier League, and relive the heart-stopping moment the Netherlands qualified for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He also relives the thrill of the Netherlands’ famous victory over South Africa at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Adelaide—one of the most unforgettable moments in Dutch cricket history. Away from the spotlight, Paul reflects on the simple beginnings—Saturday mornings, ice cream, and a childhood dislike of the helmet. This is a story of grit, perspective, and passion—an unfiltered look at life on the global cricket stage. 🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from the world of cricket.

1. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage 50:16
2. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing 47:06
3. Nikhil Kulkarni | Every Day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy | A Fan’s Journey 40:14
4. Gavin Dovey – From the Australian Team to Leading NT Cricket 34:22
5. Tammy Bartaia – Bollywood Dreams 15:02