Nine Years On, Ashes Cricket Still Rewards Patience Over Pace

Ashes Cricket arrived in 2017 as the official cricket game of the England vs Australia Test series, and it still plays that role today. The game covers both teams in detail, with full commentary, stats and analysis tied to each match. For anyone who follows international cricket closely, this is the version that matters.

The game runs on PS4, PC and Xbox One. It is a big, ambitious package that tries to cover every angle of professional cricket, from the moment a ball is bowled to the final appeal. Whether it succeeds depends on which mode you pick.

Batting and Bowling

Batting is the heart of Ashes Cricket, and it shows. The controls are precise, with separate buttons for footwork, shot selection and shot timing. Players can set up drives, pulls, sweeps and cuts with real intent, and the game responds to small changes in input. A slight shift of the controller changes the angle of the shot, which gives batting a sense of weight that simpler cricket games lack.

Bowling is less deep. There are fewer options, and the game relies more on timing than on positioning. Fast bowlers can choose pace and direction, but spinners get less room to experiment. The bowling action is fluid and looks good, but it feels like a supporting feature rather than a strong one.

Fielding and catching are solid. Run outs are judged carefully, and catches can be challenged. This matters in Tests, where a dropped chance can cost a team a wicket.

Controls and Feel

The controls are the strongest part of Ashes Cricket. They are easy to learn but hard to master, which suits a game about patience and timing. The game rewards players who take time to set up shots, and punishes those who rush.

There is no drift or float that ruins timing. A shot hit at the exact moment feels exactly right, and a shot missed by a hair feels exactly wrong. That consistency is rare in sports games, and it is why batting remains the best reason to play.

The game also supports a wide range of difficulty settings. Beginners can play with simplified controls, while advanced players can use the full set. This makes Ashes Cricket accessible to new players without dumbing down the experience for veterans.

Presentation and Sound

Presentation is where Ashes Cricket shines brightest. The commentary is excellent, with full coverage of every delivery, dismissal and boundary. The stats tracking is thorough, showing strike rate, economy rate and other metrics for every player and every session.

The sound design is detailed too. Each ball sounds different depending on where it hits the bat and the pitch. This attention to detail gives matches a lived-in feel, even when the action is slow.

The menus are clean and easy to navigate. Players can jump straight into a match, load a saved game, or watch a replay. Nothing gets in the way of the cricket itself.

Modes and Career

The career mode is the biggest draw. Players build a squad, manage finances, plan tactics and deal with media. The mode simulates the pressure of playing for a national side, complete with boardroom politics and fan expectations. It is a bold attempt, though it has rough edges.

The Test mode is the best way to see how far Ashes Cricket goes. Matches follow the format of real Tests, with sessions, intervals and result-based outcomes. The weather system adds variation, with rain, sun and wind affecting the pitch. It is a demanding mode, but it is also the most rewarding.

Practice mode is useful for honing skills. Players can set up custom nets, choose bowlers and set targets. It is a simple tool, but it serves its purpose well.

Here is how the modes rank by how much they add to the overall experience:

1. Test mode — the deepest and most accurate representation of professional cricket
2. Career mode — the most ambitious single-player experience, with real-world pressures
3. Practice mode — a useful tool, but the least exciting of the three

Multiplayer and Online

Multiplayer is limited. There is online play, but it is not extensive. Local multiplayer is available, which is a relief given the focus on solo modes. The online infrastructure is not as robust as it could be, which limits the appeal of multiplayer sessions.

The game does not offer a large suite of online features. There is no ranked ladder, no chat system, and no way to follow friends across matches. That is a disappointment for players who want to compete online.

Comparing the Three Platforms

The three versions are broadly similar, but each has a distinct character. The PC version offers the most control over settings, letting players tweak frame rate, resolution and anti-aliasing. The PS4 version looks the best, with sharper textures and more detail in the crowd and field. The Xbox One version sits in the middle, offering a balanced experience without pushing any one feature.

Players should choose based on what they value most. Those who care about graphics should pick PS4. Those who care about performance should pick PC. Those who want the simplest setup should pick Xbox One.

The Verdict

Ashes Cricket is a solid, if uneven, cricket game. Its batting is excellent, its commentary is top-tier, and its career mode is ambitious. Its bowling is weaker, its multiplayer is thin, and its online presence is limited. Taken together, these strengths and weaknesses make for a game that is best enjoyed in short bursts rather than marathon sessions.

The game is at its best when played alone, either through a Test or in practice. Multiplayer and online play are secondary features, and they show it. Anyone who wants to play against friends regularly should look elsewhere.

Ashes Cricket is a worthy addition to the cricket gaming library, but it is not the last word in the genre. It is a game that respects its sport, and it rewards players who respect it back.

Ashes Cricket · cricket game · game review · PC · PS4 · Xbox One