I think we all need to face the fact that most past cricket games have been utter crap.
Developers seem to have got their priorities completely wrong in terms of conventrating on what makes a good cricket game.
Apart from the fact that past games were obviously very rushed, the developers have been way too caught up applying official licences, recording commentary, making real grounds etc rather than making a solid game. If I was in charge of the development team for one of the new cricket games, I'd give them these priorities:
If the devlopers can make a solid physics engine, the first half of the battle has been won. I suppose this is mainly interpreting the laws of physics, how gravity works etc.
Then, they need to decide how objects interact with the physics engine (ball hitting bat, ball bouncing on pitch or outfield, how much throws from the outfield travel through the air, fielders sliding along grass etc), and importantly how the use will control these events. The biggest challenge for them.
The main part of the second half of the battle would be implementing AI. Trying to give computer controlled players common sense running between the wickets, which end the fielders throw to and CPU team strategies, correct umpiring decisions etc. Again a bloody hard task for a cricket game considering the complexities of the sport.
The remainder of the battle is implementing a solid graphics engine to accommodate the above. Motion capture, lighting, textures etc.
After the main battle has been won and you've have a few celebratory beers, you then go back and tweak the graphics engine (different batting/bowling styles) implement statistics calculations, negotiate licensing for authentic players and equipment, weather effects, detailed stadiums, batsmen century cutscenes, crowd chants, animated streakers and whatever other garbage you have time to add.
Of course this may be completely unrealistic, as I know solid gameplay does not necessarily sell games and gloss and aesthetics can (FIFA always outsells PES for instance).
Oh well, there's my two bob.