I have always wanted a career mode. For example you make your own player, and the attributes are made through a random "Gene Pool" (Like the one in the Madden Games)
Then you basically control that player only. You only play his innings. Once he gets out, the rest of the innings gets simulated. If he is also a bowler, you just bowl his innings and no one else's. Then when you don't have a match, you can go to the nets and practice your bowling/batting. Also you start off at Club level, and then you have to work your way up too get selected to your respective national team. After a certain age (Lets say 33) your stats will slowly begin to decrease. Then as the years go by, the runs/wickets won't be coming and you will retire from International Cricket. But you can continue playing Club Level, provided that they will select you.
Added incentives could be to Captain your Club and International Team. For example you are an experienced player, and the current Captain retires, and the team then asks you to take over the job. You can accept or decline. By being Captain, you will then assign the coaching, and you will have to bowl, as you will choose the bowlers, and set their line and lengths. Batting will still be simulated, but when a wicket falls it will be your choice, as to who will come in next. You will also control the aggression levels of the players. If it all turns out to be too much for you, you can resign as captain.