Oil's Well as England Regains the Ashes

Friday 16 September 2005

Linseed oil might have helped England’s batting at The Oval last week, but it’s possible we’d have brought the Ashes home a whole lot sooner if the oil had been used to nourish team members and not just their wood!

Each of the 11 victorious players and captain Michael Vaughan has received a pot of linseed oil capsules and a warm message of congratulation from Sussex-based High Barn Oils, as the company’s Durwin Banks used a rare occasion of national pride to drive home a serious message.

“Cricketers have long used raw linseed oil to moisten the surface of their bats and make the fibres supple, giving an elastic surface that’s more likely to stretch on impact from the 96mph balls being bowled at The Oval,” says Durwin. “It probably helped Pietersen to his first 100.

“But it can have an even more powerful effect on the bodies of professional sportsmen if eaten as part of a balanced diet.”

Uniquely rich in the “fit fat” Omega 3, linseed oil diets are used by sports coaches in America to help build muscle and stamina, while also accelerating recovery from the strain of sustained physical exercise.

“It also good for hair condition – which will be good news for Kevin Pietersen after all that bleach!” says Durwin.