Brian Lara Cricket 2007: New info and screens

I’m not sure about my American friends, but I do know that a substantial number of our European and Asian readers will be excited with the latest incarnation of Brian Lara Cricket, made by Codemasters and EA. And this time, the good thing about the game is that it will have licensed cricketers and look-alike player models.

The 2007 edition of Brian Lara Cricket will be released on the Xbox 360, PC, and PS2. Now we will just be focusing on the Xbox 360 version. And if you’re a cricket fan, you’ll feel right at home here. First, the features:

• The game recreates the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
• Complete with player names and likenesses. Will include over 400 players such as Steve Harmison (England), Brett Lee (Australia), Sachin Tendulkar (India), and Shahid Afridi (Pakistan).
• The game will also feature an array of officially licensed cricket equipment including bats, balls, pads, arm-guards, gloves, helmets, wicket-keeper pads, and gloves from renowned cricket equipment specialists such as MRF, Kookaburra, Dukes, Gray Nicholls, GM (Gunn & Moore), Morrant, Newbery, Slazenger, and Albion.
• Dedicated ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 mode featuring all the teams, players, stadia, kits, and equipment of the tournament.
• The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 tournament, currently being played in India, will also be faithfully recreated in the game.
• In-game commentary from established cricket experts Jonathan Agnew, David Gower, Ian Bishop, Bill Lawry, and Tony Greig.
• Real player stats from Wisden and featuring the Hawkeye analysis system.

Now having played both EA and Codemasters’ version of Cricket games, I can say that I’m much more happy to see Codemasters having the official rights this time. To my American friends, this situation would be familiar with what’s going on right now regarding EA and 2K Sports‘ NFL games.

More info and screens after the jump!

I’m not sure about my American friends, but I do know that a substantial number of our European and Asian readers will be excited with the latest incarnation of Brian Lara Cricket, made by Codemasters. And this time, the good thing about the game is that it will have licensed cricketers and look-alike player models.

The 2007 edition of Brian Lara Cricket will be released on the Xbox 360, PC, and PS2. Now we will just be focusing on the Xbox 360 version. And if you’re a cricket fan, you’ll feel right at home here. First, the features:

• The game recreates the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
• Complete with player names and likenesses. Will include over 400 players such as Steve Harmison (England), Brett Lee (Australia), Sachin Tendulkar (India), and Shahid Afridi (Pakistan).
• The game will also feature an array of officially licensed cricket equipment including bats, balls, pads, arm-guards, gloves, helmets, wicket-keeper pads, and gloves from renowned cricket equipment specialists such as MRF, Kookaburra, Dukes, Gray Nicholls, GM (Gunn & Moore), Morrant, Newbery, Slazenger, and Albion.
• Dedicated ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 mode featuring all the teams, players, stadia, kits, and equipment of the tournament.
• The ICC Champions Trophy 2006 tournament, currently being played in India, will also be faithfully recreated in the game.
• In-game commentary from established cricket experts Jonathan Agnew, David Gower, Ian Bishop, Bill Lawry, and Tony Greig.
• Real player stats from Wisden and featuring the Hawkeye analysis system.

Now having played both EA and Codemasters’ version of Cricket games, I can say that I’m much more happy to see Codemasters having the official rights this time. To my American friends, this situation would be familiar with what’s going on right now regarding EA and 2K Sports‘ NFL games.

Here’s what Malcolm Speed, CEO of ICC (Cricket’s heading body) had to say:

It is a pleasure to continue our successful relationship with Codemasters for the introduction of Brian Lara International Cricket 2007. The series has always captured the excitement and intensity of one day international cricket. To see the detail invested in the 2007 edition is very exciting, especially as the game will feature ICC official licensed events and launch for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. By working closely together we aim to deliver the best game of one day cricket anyone could hope for.

Being an avid Cricket fan, I’m really looking forward to this game. Although there is another Cricket game for the Xbox 360, it is a special version exclusively for Indians. Here’s hoping that this version is more successful since it will be released worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest updates!