Ashes Cricket 2009 - Xbox 360

Test Match cricket is an art form and a science combined - and it’s one that video games have struggled with. Not this time. Ashes Cricket 2009 places you at the forefront of the greatest of all Test series, and it does so with the skill of Graham Swan breaking a post-lunch ball through the gate; and with the panache of Ricky Ponting cover-driving for yet another century. Bat and bowl, set the field, and see the highly polished AI of the classy single-player experience discover your weaknesses as you probe for the same in the opposition. Like the real game, Ashes 2009 rewards practice, patience and flair as you learn the control system - it won’t take long to get to grips with, it will take time to master.

Playing as either Australia or the English and Welsh XI, you also get the chance to understand how the stars work. When bowling like Harminson or Jimmy Anderson, you have to tweak the controls to get the best from their particular actions. The same applies to batting like Hussey, Strauss and even Haurtiz. Don’t get too bogged down in the intricacies though - there are also one-dayers and the adrenalin-nuked 20/20 tournaments to play for truly rounded cricketing experience.

All up, Ashes 2009 is the game to take you through the high and lows of the nPower series - especially during those long, long rain delays. more