cricket news

Two publishers have provided us with cricket games in recent years: there have been EA games, imaginatively titled 'Cricket', and then the Codemasters series, branded under the name of cricketing legend Brian Lara.

Codemasters has now seemingly decided to do away with the Brian Lara name (sure, they'll drop him once he's retired but retain the Colin McRae name after he tragically dies) and simply replace it with Ashes Cricket 2009.

The title is of course in reference to the notorious Ashes tournament between England and Australia, which always promises to throw up some drama. Aussies want to beat the 'Poms' because of their Imperialist past and we, the English, want to keep those criminals in line by showing them how you play like a gentleman.

Anyway, the game is coming to Xbox 360, PS3, and PC alongside the tournament this coming summer, which will be the first time that it will be played in England since the legendary series back in 2005. A Wii version will be released at a later date.

We've always favoured the Codies cricket games to EA's attempts anyway - if they were bowlers, Codies would be a leg-spinner while EA would bowl underarm deliveries - although Peter Moore has recently stated that there's no substance behind rumours that EA Sports is developing another Cricket game, so perhaps Codies now has the pavilion to itself.

Whatever the case, Codies' attempt on the stumps will have the full Ashes license with approval from the England and Wales Cricket Board, Marylebone Cricket Club, and Cricket Australia, providing it with all the relevant kit, stadiums, and players for this year's Ashes.

Ashes Cricket 2009 is being developed by Transmission Games, which developed the last Brian Lara title (Brian Lara: Pressure Play 2007 for PSP), and will feature everything from full Tests to 20/20 matches, all served up in both online and local multiplayer for HD consoles.

"The Ashes is set to be the sporting event of the summer and it's great to be producing the official game of the Series," commented Jamie Firth, Producer, Codemasters. "In partnering with the development team at Transmission Games, Ashes Cricket 2009 is a cricket title with an unprecedented heritage that comes from two companies that know and love the sport. The Brian Lara titles became the number one cricket gaming brand for over ten years and it's a reputation that we fully intend to continue with Ashes Cricket 2009."