New Ashes Cricket visuals revealed

Two days out from the start of the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes, Ashes Cricket video game developers Big Ant Studios have released new visuals of some of Ashes foes’ biggest stars.

Ashes Cricket, the first cricket game from Big Ant Studios to be fully licensed, is set to bring all the action from both the women’s and men’s Ashes to Playstation 4, Xbox One and PC in November.

 “Women’s cricket is rightfully growing in popularity across the world, and we wanted to do our part to highlight the incredible athleticism of the sport through Ashes Cricket,” Big Ant chief executive Ross Symons said.

“We’re looking forward to a thrilling competition between the women’s teams on the field this year, and we’re also looking forward to enabling gamers to decide the fate of their very own virtual Ashes.”

Image Id: C6EB7B2A68304F80BE91A93C1BDDF93C Image Caption: Megan Schutt, Ashes Cricket-style // Big Ant Studios

To ensure photo-real depictions the Australian and English players, all female and male players had their likenesses captured using 35 DSLR cameras to create lifelike characters in the game.

Full motion capture sessions were used to ensure the flow of each batsman’s swing and bowler’s action is as authentic as in real life.

Motion capture data from the Bupa National Cricket Centre was used to recreate bowling actions for the Australian players, while the skills of the in-game competitors have been assessed by Cricket Australia’s Team Performance unit.

Players including Emma Inglis and Mackinley Blows also had their movements captured in a complex recording process, with each player required to move around the 360-degree field playing a wide variety of shots.

“We first included women players and teams in Don Bradman Cricket 17, and it was a feature that players really appreciated,” Symons said.

“The inclusion of the female teams gives even more depth and variety to the game.

“It’s been a privilege working with each of the players to further enhance what we can offer gamers with the women’s competition in Ashes Cricket.”

Players will also be able to play through the full career mode as a woman, just as they will for the men’s game, bringing a rookie up through the ranks until they finally earn the opportunity to represent their nation in the greatest competition in cricket.

The multi-format Women’s Ashes begin on Sunday with the first one-day international at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.

Ashes Cricket is now on pre-sale HERE.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT