F you’re an Aussie or UK sports fan, then the next few months are all about one thing-the Ashes series being held Down Under. EA is capitalising on that buzz by releasing Cricket 07 just before the start of the first Test at the end of November, and the good news for cricket tragics is that Cricket 07 is EA’s best effort at replicating the sport to date. The bad news is that some finicky bowling mechanics make it an uneven experience, with batting by far the more enjoyable half of the gameplay. And just like in real cricket, even the shortest matches can result in some tedium.
If you’re a big fan of the sport, then you know that a little tedium is part and parcel of the whole experience. Indeed, Cricket 07 plays more towards hardcore supporters than casual followers, as the real-life game is represented here in almost simulation-like quality. While there is scope for slugfests at lower difficulty levels, Cricket 07 is very much a game that rewards patience and persistence, particularly when you get to Test match levels at higher-than-average difficulties