Test Match + One Day Cricket

ZX Computing

Toby Braddick

READERS REVIEWS More of your thoughts about the software you buy. This feature provides you space to air your views on any software, be it for the ZX80, ZX81 or Spectrum. If you've had a good or bad experience with any of the commercial software packages available for your micro, why not write in and tell us? Your reviews should contain your critical thoughts about the software and the relevant details concerning the availability of the package, its price, etc. You should aim to produce something like 250 to 500 words per package, depending, of course, on how enthusiastic you are about the software. Any reviews published in this section of the magazine will be rewarded with the price of the tape you review. So, if you buy a cassette and send in a review which gets published, you'll get your software for free! TEST MATCH Computer Rentals Toby Braddick The inlay card didn't fill me with confidence, but I decided to buy the game anyway. Side one contains a 'Test Match' program, with all the normal rules for a test match. The only thing missing is the 'Arlott-Trueman rabbiting' - did I hear someone cheer? The game is initially set up as a match between England and Australia, the players being those selected for the last series - but you can choose your own teams quite easily. The game starts with the computer telling you which side has won the toss, the winner then elects to bat or bowl. The scorecard shows the eleven batsmen in order and the six eligible bowlers in order of ability. As the game progresses the card records the batsmen's scores, how out, extras, total score, overs bowled and full details of each bowler. just like the real thing! The computer allows for 'bowler tiredness' so you can't use your best two bowlers all the time. Apart from the opening batsmen, you can bring in batsmen out of sequence if you wish to. Once a bowler has been selected, you are presented with a three-dimensional view of the pitch and the bowler commences his over. The graphics show the bolwer running up to bowl, the batsman then plays a shot and the computer decides what will happen. You can be bowled, stumped or caught, or you might get 'byes', hit a boundary, be given the option of running or get a 'wide' or 'no ball' decision. If you have the chance to run and take it, the batsmen are shown running between the wickets and the fielder nearest the ball is shown running to field it to try and run the batsmen out. Some fielders are pretty sharp, while others don't seem too good until you decide to take a chance and they run you out with ease. Remember, it's a test match so don't be impatient. The game allows declarations and follow-ons where appropriate, and in the last innings will show how many runs are required to win. Side two contains a program for one day cricket, allowing a choice between 'John Player League' (40 overs), 'World Cup Series' (50 overs) and 'Prudential Cup' (55 overs). The game proceeds with the same graphics, but with different rules depending on your choice of competition. I found these games enjoyable and exciting, proving to me that it's not the packaging that counts. They are also pretty realistic (England never seem to win!) - maybe I should have put Graham Gooch back in the team? The price of this package is £5.95 and runs on the 48K Spectrum.