I haven't read this whole thread, so sorry if this is repetitive.
I think the basic gameplay in cricket games needs to be revamped. I have a couple of ideas, which have been taken from other current gen sports games.
For Bowling
Need to get rid of all the bowling meters. Also, need to get rid the pitch location in 2 player. That is, if you are playing against human players, the bounce location should disappear, and the bowler will have to chose the bounce location with the analog feel (like pitch location in MVP baseball). Also, the speed and amount of movement on the ball should be determined by run-up and arm-action that the bowler can put using the analog sticks.
For Batting
Picking the ball
Also for batting, because there are no meter, the batsman has to pick the ball on the fly. This can be simulated by showing a different color for a split second, as soon as the ball leaves the bowlers hand. Different types of balls (inswing, outswing, off break) should have colors. At the same time, the pitch location should also appear, thereby simulating "picking the line and lenght" of the ball. Also, the speed of the ball will be shown at the same time, by the speed of the arm action. If its fast, the bowlers arm should show some kind of trailing effect, and trailing effect should get less for slower pitches. This might seem like a lot of information for the batter to take in (that is, pick movement, location and speed in a split second) but that is how real cricket is, and a game simulation should be no different.
For Hitting the Ball
This should be based on the analog sticks, completely. The Left one should be your stance, and the Right one should give you control of you bad. With that, you can decide how much backswing you want to put on your drives and pulls. Of course there should be a power button.
I hate the current way of hitting the ball, where forward + hit = forward drive, and stuff like that, limits the shot making. Cricket has more than 10 strokes, and its hard to incorporate that without using the analog stick for "free bat control"
I know this is long, and if you didn't like the ideas, sorry for wasting your time.
Special thanks to EA Sports Fight Night and MVP baseball ...... most of the ideas are a mesh of ideas from my previous video gaming experience.