A decent effort, but a long way short of what could be achieved.

User Rating: 7 | Ashes Cricket 2009 X360
By ACStafford | Review Date:
Firstly, I should say that this is the best cricket simulation I have played, but unfortunately, as far as cricket games are concerned, that does not say a lot. Batting is enjoyable, but with flaws. It seems to be too easy to play some tough shots. Short balls are very easily dispatched, and seem to cause very few problems for the batsmen. I've found that the computer even plays some of my bouncers down the pitch with a straight bat for four, not very realistic. Bowling is far more enjoyable than in previous versions, especially when you set up a particular field, and succeed with a catch in the covers.

The main problem with this game, however, is the appalling AI problems in the game. Constant runouts, stupidly aggressive batting outside the off stump early in an innings, causing catches, and the way that the computer often bowls six balls in the same position in an over, even if you're smacking it all over the place.

I can't understand why this old bowling format of selecting a box on the ground for where to aim the ball is still about. A batsmen should not know where the ball is going to pitch when the bowler is on his run up. There must be a much better way of doing this.

All in all, it's a decent effort, and if you want a cricket game, Ashes Cricket is probably worth giving a go, but please, somebody, spend some time making a really good cricket sim!

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