Play Brian Lara Cricket 96 (April 1996) Online

Brian Lara Cricket 96 came out for the Sega Genesis in 1996, developed by Audiogenic and published by Codemasters. It was one of the better cricket titles on the system, arriving late in the console's life when sports games were starting to feel a bit more polished and responsive.

You control either a batsman or a bowler, with the main goal being to either score runs or take wickets depending on your role. Batting involves timing your shots with a cursor that moves along a pitch marker, letting you play defensive blocks, drives, or aggressive lofted shots into the outfield. Bowling gives you control over line, length, and type of delivery, like spin or pace, with a meter for setting speed and accuracy. The game moves briskly, with matches that don't drag on, though the AI can be tough once it settles into a rhythm. It feels satisfying to connect with a well-timed shot and watch the ball race to the boundary.