Timed pleasingly to coincide with the renewal of the sport’s greatest rivalry in Australia, with Ashes Cricket fans of the game’s virtual incarnation have a marvellous accompaniment to the series. Although released less than a year after developer Big Ant Studio’s previous foray into the market with Don Bradman Cricket 17, this is more than a cynical Ashes tie-in, and with plenty of new features is a step forward for the genre. Focused on the Ashes series now under way, all the stadiums and squads are accurately represented, and while Bradman lacked official licences, they are present here. Including all the male and female players is another pleasing addition. In gameplay terms, the title has developed further. Ashes Cricket has an easier to grasp, button-based control system as well as the traditional stick-centred method from Bradman. AI has been improved too – it will quickly tweak the field if there is a barrage of boundaries. There are a few bugs, but they prove only mildly irritating rather than fundamental and are certainly not game-breaking. The wicketkeepers, for example, can be clunky (think early career Matt Prior) and are not helped by the slips bunching up close as if for an impromptu team huddle. The commentary, too, is also more hit and miss than England’s batting lineup, but these are minor gripes with what is an otherwise excellent title and a welcome addition to the genre.