End of day two:
Once again I've batted (and run) like a plonker and paid the price.
Scoring has felt easier this time, but as Sureshot said earlier, if you lose concentration for just a moment, you're in trouble. Only played two or three lofted shots and that resulted in a couple of sixes. I'll probably do a T20 and smash everything and see how fast I can score at some point, but it does seem a little easy to clear the rope. Even a poorly timed lofted shot nearly cleared the ropes.
In general the AI seamers bowls too wide, giving you plenty of opportunity to cut and drive off the back foot. Driving off the back foot is a touch risky though, that's how I've lost a number of my wickets. The AI spinners bowl too full and wide.
Despite too many scoring opportunities and a couple of other things, this has been the most satisfying day of cricket gaming I can remember, fantastic. Didn't a few of us say there was a good cricket game screaming to get out when BLIC 2005 came out? Well, here it is.
Wow!
Stevie, since you've got to the end of day two, have you seen any signs of weather changing from cloudy to sunny for example, either at the end of a day, or session to session?
Some more feedback from me:
AI still don't duck bouncers enough - play backward defensive to them.
The bug where a short ball bowled in the yellow zone of meter called a no-ball is still there (it usually happens after you've bowled one bona-fide overhead wide, but then it keeps calling short balls no ball).
Some lofted shots on first morning of a test, but the AI weren't going crazy.
'Invisible' edges are still in - I had three that would've had me smashing an appeal button, but they were called as edges, not LBW appeals.
Batsmen still do take on risky runs occasionally, there was almost a run-out, but it was a calculated risk that could've gone wrong - like in real cricket. No sign of AI suicide-o-runs.
AI frequently turn down easy singles though - there was even a chance to get my first byes, but the AI didn't run.
The stamina of human controlled bowlers seems to be fixed - they're not half-dead after a few overs anymore.
Some nice play/misses by the AI.
Good pacing, this is very realistic Test cricket, the best I've played. Only thing missing are some leg byes and more LBW shouts.
'50 partnership' mentioned, but not 50/100up for team.
Swann was getting a bit too much spin for 1st morning, 1st day of a test, but the AI are playing him realistically - no more slogging everything he bowls, so bowling with a spinner is now a lot of fun!
There's still a lot of slow down at the lunchtime scoreboard, but that must surely be down to the game loading the 'afternoon' sky textures/lighting?
Now, that might not have sounded too good, so feast your eyes on these beauties!
The batting/bowling scoreboards at lunch. Howzaaaaat!!!!
Apologies to anyone expecting some other kind of 'beauties'. This is a family forum! Oh ok, go on then:
Loving Ashes Cricket 2009!
Edit: Sorry about the huge size of the piccies!! I tried 'reduce for website' on another forum, and the shots came out tiny... I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to posting screenies!! So, let's try that one again...
