I first played Stick Cricket through the Mousebreaker website, and whilst it was available to download on iPhone, it was not available on my Android phone....until now! The Basic version is free, but you can unlock extra modes and levels by purchasing the full version for £1.95 from the Android Market.

I will be reviewing the Android phone version of this game. It's very similar to the online version with subtle differences to game modes and simplified controls as I'll explain later.

Stick Cricket is a very simple game where you play as the batting team only with the sole aim of hitting lots of runs or chasing down a target to beat the bowling team. You are presented with a variety of game modes that ensure you keep coming back for more! You'll be aiming to beat your high score, beat that team that you've got so close to beating in the past or trying to gain some of the in-game achievement awards for weeks!

The mobile version of Stick Cricket allows you to pick from the following game modes:

Cricket Academy - You pick the style of bowler to face (Spin/Swing/Medium/Fast etc.) in a 5 over practice session.

All Star Slog - The free version only includes the '5 over slog' in which you select your country and try to score as many runs as possible in 5 overs. You will face a variety of bowling styles during this mode to test your ability. The game will automatically end if you lose all 10 wickets before 5 overs have been bowled. There are also '10 over slog' and '20 over slog' modes that can be unlocked by purchasing the full game. The game remembers your highest scores in each mode.

World Domination - In this mode, you play progressively harder opposition and have a 20 over target set for you, depending on the opposition's ability. Canada, Netherlands and Kenya are the only teams unlocked in the free game. Purchasing the full game gives you access to play Ireland, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, New Zealand, England, Australia, India and South Africa, in order of difficulty.

Stick Cricket World Cup Edition - This option is currently unavailable but it says it is coming soon... I believe this mode is on the website and is based on a 20/20 style World Cup in which you play 7 opposition countries in your group, in order to qualify for the latter stages.

Once in game, you will be faced with the incoming bowler as he steams in to deliver a variety of balls. You have the choice to press the left or right of your phones screen to direct your shot in the corresponding direction. In the online game, you also have the choice to play a defensive shot...no such messing about here though, it's all out attack!

You must also judge the timing of the shot, this is very important to building a big score. Press too late and you can edge the ball and be caught out behind, be bowled, LBW or be knocked backwards onto your own stumps with a bouncer. Press too early and you can gift an easy catch in the outfield, be bowled or LBW. The better you time your shots, the more chance of hitting big 4's and 6's.

The on-screen display gives you a variety of information. It informs you of your current runs total and number of players out, the required run rate you need to attain in order to chase down a target, your current run rate and information on the current bowler you are facing. At the end of every over you are presented with a scorecard that details all of your batsmen, their runs total and how they were dismissed if they are out.
The graphics in game are fairly basic, but having been taken from a flash game anyway, they're very true to the online version just smaller. The menus are also nice and clear to follow. I normally play with the sound down, but the usual crowd cheering and willow on leather noises are all there if you want them!

To add to the addictive action, there are also achievements available for good performances. So far I have scored 50 with one player, scored 100 with one player and a few of the basic ones like hitting your first 6.

This is a really simple but addictive game in which quick reactions, timing and decision making are all important in order to suceed, and probably more suited to cricket fans as it contains fairly up to date player names for each country. The £1.95 I paid to unlock the full functionality of the game is good value in my opinion as it adds so much more to the game. However, if you only want to play for free there is a good few days of addictive action available or you could play the slightly more advanced online game for free.