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Cricket is one of those rare finds - a decent simulation game that conjures up the feel of the real thing. It even has some of the tedium of a five-day test match. The slow ball-by-ball build-up to a potentially explosive last few overs is past of its charm.

At least, it would be if I had managed to master the rudiments of computer bowling and batting. The solution Cricket has come up with to the problem of representing the thrills of batting and bowling is ingenious, even brilliant, but it's a skill that takes time to master.

In finely etched outline, the bowler and batsman face each other at the top half of a split screen. The bottom half shows the relative position of bowler and batsman to the wicket, as well as plotting the flight of the ball.

The animated graphics are very good given the limits of the Dragon. The bowler runs up and, in an action reminiscent of Lillee at his best, delivers the ball. It is the same delivery action even when a spin bowler is on but that is a small quibble. (Yes, the game distinguishes between fast bowling and spin.)

Batsman and bowler are controlled by joysticks (or, in a one-player game, one side is handled by the computer). You can choose from three levels of play and decide your own team (or accept the computer's choice).

The result of each ball is seen from a bird's eye view of the ground. A full scoreboard is displayed after each ball. My best efforts saw England all out for 15 after a brave 20 minutes at the crease.

There are strategic depths to this game (such as assigning the 50 'strength' points between batsmen and bowlers) which I didn't even begin to plumb. A must for cricket lovers.