| Computer cricket games are all part of the fun for | | | | This demands totally different skills from computer |
| most junior cricketers (and some senior ones). The | | | | related games. If you think that you can manage an |
| virtual cricket world is almost as intricate as the real | | | | international cricket team better than the |
| one, and it takes great skill to be an expert. Junior | | | | professionals, then why not give this a try? |
| cricketers might be able to show adults a few of the | | | | For computer cricket games, the speed of your |
| finer points, but here are a few pros and cons that | | | | internet connection and the processing speed of your |
| might help everyone. | | | | PC make a difference. Online cricket games like Stick |
| Many cricket games developers are also cricket fans, | | | | Cricket are great fun, but don't expect detailed |
| and bring reality and fine detail to their designs. But, | | | | graphics and fast response times. Modern PCs or |
| it's still difficult to convert such a complex sport into | | | | games consoles are better for speed and detail; you |
| an entertaining video game. So, bear in mind that the | | | | can buy games for them as downloads or on CD. |
| games may not look as realistic as, say, football or | | | | Value for money is also important. You can find some |
| basketball games. | | | | free cricket games online, and some simple games |
| Nevertheless, cricket fans can still enjoy virtual | | | | are free downloads. Others have free online demos, |
| cricket, especially the highly rated games. There are | | | | but charge to download a full version. Shareware |
| even ranking lists and expert reviews to help you | | | | games let you try a brief trial download before you |
| choose the most suitable game for your family. | | | | buy. |
| Look for games that are realistic, and with enough | | | | PC and Console games provide the most detailed, |
| levels of difficulty to be challenging and lasting. The | | | | fast graphics and realistic play, eg EA Cricket or Brian |
| best titles let you control batsmen, bowlers and | | | | Lara International Cricket. These top selling brands |
| fielders. Also, watch out for a choice of internationals, | | | | have competed for several years to be the best PC |
| one-day matches, test matches and friendlies. And, | | | | console cricket game. EA Cricket 2006 was issued |
| look for titles that are licensed to use real player's | | | | November 2006, with BLIC 07 in March 2007. There |
| names. | | | | are passionate online critiques of both games. |
| Cricket games fall into three general categories. | | | | Computer games have improved dramatically over |
| Arcade types let you interact directly with batsmen, | | | | the last 10 years but the new Nintendo Wii system |
| bowlers and fielders. Cricket simulations allow you to | | | | opens up a whole new range of possibilities. How |
| manage your team's tactics - can you get better | | | | about the motion sensing Wii-mote as a bat |
| results from your team than Michael Vaughan or | | | | substitute in a multiplayer game, or even as a |
| Rahul Dravid? | | | | coaching tool? Will Wii ever make cricket games as |
| A third option is to try your hand at fantasy cricket. | | | | exciting as the real thing? |