International Cricket

Infobox VG
title = International Cricket


publisher = Mattel
developer = Beam Software
released = 1992
genre = Sports
modes = Single player, Multi player
platforms = NES
input = Gamepad

"International Cricket" is a cricket game for the Nintendo Entertainment System that was only released in Australia in 1992. Developed by Melbourne House (as Beam Software) and published by Mattel, it was the only cricket game released for the NES.

Naming parodies

The game featured all the major Test cricket playing nations but no official team and player licensing in place. This meant that player names within the game, particularly for the Australian team, were parodies on the actual names of cricket players at the time. Following is a list player names from the game and their respective actual names from Test-playing teams.

* A. Boulder - Allan Border
* M. Sailor - Mark Taylor
* D. Boost - David Boon
* G. Swamp - Geoff Marsh
* J. Dean - Dean Jones
* S. Mars - Steve Waugh
* I. Hilly - Ian Healy
* R. Bruce - Bruce Reid
* M. Ewes - Merv Hughes
* C. McDirt - Craig McDermott
* H. Mervyn - Merv Hughes
* P. Tail - Peter Taylor

It is unknown why Merv Hughes' name was parodied twice, however this could probably be attributed to his cult status of the time.

Variations of player names for other countries do not appear to be as obvious, however there is a player in the West Indies team called "R. Marley", an obvious reference to Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley

equels

"International Cricket" was followed by an updated sequel for the Super NES, "Super International Cricket", in 1994. Melbourne House would also develop "Cricket 96" and "Cricket 97" for EA Sports.