Cricket 97

About

Cricket 97 is a PC cricket simulation from late 1997 developed by Melbourne House under their Beam Software alias and published by EA Sports. It builds on the previous year’s game with updated visuals including 3D stadium environments while players stay as 2D sprites. The focus is on batting, bowling, and fielding mechanics with single-player matches as the only mode. Controls prioritize straightforward execution whether you’re hitting sixes or adjusting spin bowling strategies. The game introduces commentary from cricket legends Ritchie Benaud and Ian Botham along with full-motion video segments featuring them. Real player names and teams were absent here but would debut in the following Ashes Tour Edition. A relic of 90s sports gaming, it retains a small audience of retro sports enthusiasts. Community discussions often highlight how its stripped-down approach to cricket strategy feels both quaint and oddly refreshing compared to modern titles. The lack of authentic rosters doesn’t detract for some, it just adds to the nostalgic charm.