As this is the first time I've posted since I got the game I was going to put this in the first impressions thread, but I've had the game since 10 April so it's not a truly 'first' impression, is it?
Firstly, I should clarify where I'm coming from with this. I'm what you guys on here would probably refer to as a casual cricket fan. I get interested in cricket during the county season - interest peaks during an England tour / test series, then I don't really give cricket another thought for the duration of the English football season, when I return to my beloved Arsenal.
For this reason, I think I'm happier to forgive the games some of it's bugs - I'm not a cricket fanatic - I'm not looking for some unachievable perfection - and FIFA / PES have taught me how to overlook the odd unrealistic glitch in what is ultimately a game.
Even as someone who's not obsessed with the finer details, the limitations and problems with previous cricket games have always been clear to me - they've been well rehearsed on this forum, so I won't repeat. This game addresses them perfectly though. Bowling a consistent line and length requires skill and concentration, bowling to a plan is intuitive and rewarding when it results in wickets. Batting requires significant concentration, excellent reflexes and the patience to play each ball on it's merit.
I genuinely think this game is brilliant and, if it is only going to get better from this point onwards, that can only be a good thing for all concerned.
However...
I do think I?ve hit a bit of a problem now and it all relates to difficulty levels.
Bowling I?ve got nailed ? really enjoy the challenge and generally get good results in the field. I?m not even experiencing the problems people have highlighted on here, I?m getting plenty of edges and decent turn from the spinners. I?ve just played one day match between England?s all time XI and Australia?s all time XI. They went into bat first and only lasted 23 overs, getting 53. The two wickets for Swann were the result of decent turn, the Bradman, Border and Gilchrist wickets we all a result of edges. Nice.
I?ve been playing a lot on amateur to improve my batting and I?m now a lot, lot better at playing patiently enough to get my players ?set? and then picking bad balls for runs, defending anything straight and generally playing each ball on it?s merit. I'm not having the problems some have mentioned regarding picking the line and length early - the circle round the ball works well I think. This was my run chase for the same game. Lost both wickets when right on the cusp of getting over the line, but I was well in control.
The problem is, there is no way I can bat like this on pro. I can get my batsmen in and set, but the game is so unforgiving if you?re slightly off the line or early/late when defending, I?m constantly edging to the wicket keeper or simply playing and missing straight ones. So frustrating! Any tips?