The officially licenced Ashes game has been delayed by a week as developers scramble to push through an update after Tim Paine's sudden resignation
Cummins replaces Paine on Cricket 22 digital cover
Pat Cummins has replaced Tim Paine on the cover of this summer's official Ashes video game for digital versions, but the printed physical copies will still feature former captain Tim Paine, making them an instant collector's item.
Cricket 22: The Official game of the Ashes has seen its release date pushed back a week until next Thursday, December 2, in the wake of Paine's sudden resignation following revelations of a sexting scandal.
Pre-Order Cricket 22 now for consoles
Big Ant today released the updated cover art featuring Cummins alongside Australian women's team captain Meg Lanning.
Cummins was named vice-captain of Australia's Ashes squad that was named before Paine's resignation, and is widely seen as a front-runner for the post.
"To ensure the highly anticipated Cricket 22 game gets to fans by 2nd December, Big Ant Studios are proud to announce that Pat Cummins, vice-captain of the Australian men’s cricket team, will be on the Cricket 22 digital cover alongside Australian women’s team captain Meg Lanning," Big Ant said in a statement.
The latest instalment of Big Ant's cricket video game series is promising "the most robust, substantial game of cricket that fans have ever seen" with improved visuals and "extensive improvements and innovations" to both gameplay and graphics.
Image Id: 8E831FA940914AB8BBA4FC03561740C0 Image Caption: The new cover for digital editions of Cricket 22Big Ant had long planned a release day patch for the video game that had to be pulled because of Paine's resignation.
"Factors beyond our control have meant that we need to update the game's cover art, other visuals and team lists," Big Ant CEO Ross Symons said in a statement.
"There was a critical day 1 patch that players will need to enjoy the full Cricket 22 experience that has consequently needed to be revoked.
"This is the first time Big Ant Studios have ever had to delay a game release but we find ourselves in an unprecedented position.
"Everyone at Big Ant Studios would like to thank our fans and supporters for understanding our need to do this, ensuring the game is as full and authentic a cricket experience as possible."
Cricket 22 will introduce new licensed competitions and teams, in addition to those of Australia and England, with the men's and women's Big Bash leagues included for the first time, as will the Caribbean Premier League and the UK's new Hundred competition.
The game's licensing has now extended to the West Indies, New Zealand and Ireland as well, ensuring real images and names of all teams and players can be used.
Image Id: 8BCFF55E4F1D45C49B6F0388B5823227 Image Caption: A full house on Boxing Day in Cricket 22There's a new commentary line-up that will include Michael Atherton, David Gower and Alison Mitchell as well as Australians Mel Jones and Ian Healy.
And women's matches – fully replicated across all of Cricket 22 – will include an all-female commentary team for the first time.
Big Ant has delivered new bowling and fielding controls and a narrative-driven career mode where you manage training, press conferences and dealing with injuries as you navigate a path towards the international game.
Cricket 22 will also make it easier for newcomers to get into cricket with an overhauled series of tutorials designed to enable users to make the most of the studio's most detailed simulation of the sport.
Image Id: 786D336B72F149758A3676CF4EAD9897 Image Caption: Women's cricket gets equal billing throughout Cricket 22Available on the PlayStation 5 an Xbox Series X|S for the first time, Cricket 22 takes full advantages of the capabilities of the latest hardware with the studio touting blinding load speeds and a full suite of visual updates to provide the most realistic looking video game yet seen.
"The number of cricket fans that have been asking us about our next-generation cricket plans has been overwhelming," Symons said.
"We're incredibly excited by what we're able to bring to the table with Cricket 22. This is our fifth cricket simulation title, and it really represents the cumulation of everything that we've learned on this 10-year (and counting) journey.
Image Id: 9A2005E70EC2466C8BA7D8D9C4F87231 Image Caption: Hone your skills – in full kit – in the netsCricket 22 was originally due to hit shelves and on-line stores on November 25, but was pushed back a week.
The game is still available to pre-order on the official Cricket Australia store, or via Steam, PlayStation and Xbox online stores.
Fans that purchase copies for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be eligible for a free upgrade when they purchase the latest generation hardware.
A Nintendo Switch version of Cricket 22 is expected to be available in next January.
Image Id: 5DF3C0471DDA43838E232A80612DB31B Image Caption: Collector's edition: Paine will still be on physical copies of the game in-store from December 2Vodafone Men's Ashes v England
First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG
Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium