Cricket 2005 (PS2, XBox, PC)

Herald rating: **

Not being a huge cricket fan, I've been avoiding giving this title a test drive. I think I made the right decision holding off.

Cricket 2005 is incredibly frustrating to play, its technical nature limiting its appeal to only the most ardent of cricket fans and ambidextrous gamers.

Rugby 2005, which comes from the same publisher, Electronic Arts, has the same look and feel as Cricket 2005 and a huge range of passes, tackles and kicks to learn, but is easier to play.

Where Cricket 2005 falls down is in the mechanics of gameplay, particularly batting and bowling. Both are nearly impossible to master, and no matter how good the pitches and character animations look, Cricket 2005 just leaves you standing at the crease feeling lost.

At least you can see yourself from half a dozen different camera angles.

In bowling you use the analog stick to target the spot on the ground where you want the ball to bounce, then you use other buttons to determine what type of delivery you want (from yorker to out-spinner) and the pace of the bowling.

It sounds easy, but it's a nightmare to get the delivery you want, and against the Australians or English, getting a wicket is near impossible.

Batting is even more shambolic. It's hard to judge when to play a defensive shot or take a whack at the ball. Running between wickets is hazardous. I was run out more often than not.

There is no tutorial, instead you decamp to the training nets to practise your batting and bowling. Problem is, you can spend ages learning certain strokes and bowling techniques here and still get slaughtered on the pitch.

Cricket 2005 certainly looks good and it is nice to take to the field with the Black Caps.

The 35 playable cricket grounds are decked out with the signage and logos you would expect to see in TV coverage of the game. The playing surfaces and stands look great and the uniforms of players are accurately rendered.

As with EA's rugby and golf titles, you can build a player's face and body to your desired specifications.

There are test matches, the Twenty20 tournament, a cricket World Cup and one-day internationals.

The latter hold the most opportunity for fast-paced play. But you still need to be able to bat and bowl properly to enjoy any success in them.

The audio commentary is weak and repetitive, nowhere as good as in the Fifa titles or Rugby 2005.

I'm sure if you persevere with Cricket 2005, you will find a few batting strokes and bowling techniques that will see you through, but the effort involved in discovering these was too much for me.

I like sports games that let those with only a shallow knowledge of the game have fun too.

The title that does this best seems to be Tiger Woods' PGA Tour 2005.

Golf may not be your cup of tea - it isn't mine either - but at least you can get the hang of the controls fairly quickly and have half a chance of hitting the ball where you want it to go.

* $100