Cricket video games have always occupied a unique, slightly quirky corner of the sports simulation market. Unlike football or basketball, recreating the complex timing of a cover drive or the subtle variations of a seam-up delivery remains a Herculean task for developers. For decades, fans have clung to these releases, hoping each new iteration would finally deliver the perfect digital Test match.
The lineage of digital cricket stretches back to the 8-bit era. Across the UK, players cherished Graham Gooch’s Test Cricket, but for Australian gamers on the Commodore 64 and other early platforms, the familiar names were local heroes, Allan Border Cricket (the Australian branding for Graham Gooch World Class Cricket). The tradition continued well into the 32-bit generation, where titles like Brian Lara Cricket were rebranded for Australia and New Zealand as Shane Warne Cricket, a smart, if slightly cheeky, nod to regional fan favouritism.
Today, the responsibility for carrying this unique, demanding torch rests squarely on the shoulders of Melbourne-based Big Ant Studios. Having successfully revived the genre with the Don Bradman Cricket and Ashes Cricket series, Big Ant is essentially the custodian of the modern cricket video game. Their latest offering, the simply named Cricket 26 shows how far that development has come and despite some technical hiccups, why they are trusted to have the “Official Game of The Ashes”.
Core Gameplay: A True Step Forward for Simulation
In its purest form, Cricket 26 is a genuinely refined representation of the sport. Booting up a quick T20 game reveals a smoothness and responsiveness that immediately elevates it above its predecessor, Cricket 24. The first few overs suggest that the developers finally cracked the elusive physics of batting.
Batting feels intuitive and deeply satisfying. Whether you prefer the arcade button commands or the more sim-focused dual-stick controls, the game finally grants players agency over their shots. For the first time in recent memory, you feel like you can consistently direct the ball where you intend it to go, rather than just hitting predetermined fielders. This added control, however, doesn’t translate to an easy game; the challenge is absorbing, with realistic edges and plays-and-misses forcing you to respect the bowling attack.
The bowling mechanics, while less overhauled than batting, have introduced a brilliant layer of strategic depth with the addition of wind effects. An indicator shows the direction and strength of the gale, giving bowlers the chance to enhance swing or batsmen the advantage of launching lofted shots downwind. It is a thoughtful touch that brings real-world strategy into every ball.
Visually, there has been clear effort in authentic animations. Player models and lighting feel sharp, and the unique bowling actions of international stars are instantly recognisable and, crucially, affect gameplay.
The Technical Breakdown: A Game Prone to Collapse
Here’s where my thoughts take a sharp, downward turn, like a skidding delivery on a damp pitch. While the core mechanics represent a huge leap forward, the overall product stability is, frankly, Cyberpunk 2077 launch day levels of woeful. The experience is plagued by critical technical issues and glitches.
The play experience was a chaotic mix of exhilaration and frustration, interrupted by regular game crashes and even after several post-launch patches it is better, but not perfect.
More Modes Than Ever Before
The new Management Career Mode lets you select lineups, set tactics and match strategies, develop rising talent, and manage injuries to lead your squad to international glory.
Similarly, The Ashes Mode was advertised as a full, immersive experience where you experience iconic highlights and press conferences, connect with the tour through team nets sessions, and take control of full Australian and English squads.
The collectible Pro Team returned with the new Centurion multiplayer mode, challenging players to build their ultimate squad by opening weekly card packs or targeting players via the Auction House, completing single and multiplayer weekly challenges, and strategically upgrading your roster, it feels like collecting bubble gum cards but plays like Ultimate Team on EA FC26..
Finally, the Academy lets the community Create, Share, and Play by creating and sharing stadiums, players, and full teams.
The Verdict: Potential Waiting for a Patch
Cricket 26 is a paradox: it features what is arguably the best on-field cricket gameplay produced by Big Ant Studios, yet it’s delivered in an unstable package. The game’s brilliance is undermined by crashes, bugs, and underwhelming feature additions that look good on paper but feel cosmetic.
Big Ant Studios has a history of providing post-release support, meaning I have confidence that this simulation will eventually mature into the masterpiece its underlying mechanics suggest. Until then, approach Cricket 26 with the understanding that it’s potential is huge, but it’s not perfect yet.
Cricket 26 Scores a 6.5 out of 10
