Play Brian Lara Cricket (June 1995) Online

Brian Lara Cricket came out for the Sega Genesis, or Mega Drive depending on where you lived, in 1995. It was developed by Audiogenic and published by Codemasters, arriving at a time when cricket games were still finding their feet on home consoles. This one stood out for its focus on the international side of the sport, letting you take control of national teams in a way that felt more substantial than earlier attempts.

You control either the batsman or the bowler, with the main objective being to either score runs or take wickets depending on which side you're on. The batting involves carefully timing your shots using a simple directional input system, while bowling requires you to select a type of delivery and then aim its length and line. Field placements are fully customizable, letting you set aggressive or defensive positions to suit your strategy. The game moves at a deliberate pace, mirroring the patience of test cricket, and the difficulty can be sharp, especially against the computer's bowling on higher settings. It feels like a thoughtful simulation that rewards planning and good timing over frantic action.