Thorpe bowled over by game

England batsman Graham Thorpe tells BBC Sport Online's Chris Charles about his love for the new PlayStation 2 game, Cricket 2002.

England's cricketers have at last found a way to go on tour and have their safety guaranteed.

With the release of Cricket 2002, the players can test their skills in any country in the world, knowing the only tough decisions they take will be on the field of play.

The PlayStation 2 game, released by EA Sports on 7 December, is billed as the most realistic cricket video game ever - a claim endorsed by England batsman Graham Thorpe.

"It's very true to life," Thorpe told BBC Sport Online. "You can play all the shots you would normally play on a cricket field - and some of them probably come off better!

Sometimes I call myself up and do OK, other times I play so badly I get dropped!

Graham Thorpe

"You can also change the pace of your bowlers and decide to to vary your attack if your team is struggling."

In all, Cricket 2002 offers 45 different types of shot, a leave button and every bowling option, from the googly to the yorker.

Thorpe admitted computer games are normally the domain of his son, Henry, but for once he might be able to pass on a few tips.

"I haven't actually played any other cricket games on the computer, but I'm getting into this. We've got a PlayStation for the kids and I'm sure my boy will enjoy it," he said.

"I remember playing Subbuteo Cricket and Test Match when I was a boy and at the time they were incredible, but this takes things on to a new level.

Fight

"You can actually tell which player is which and I can even pick out every ground I've played on, although they've missed off some of the advertising hoardings!"

Thorpe revealed the England team often took a PlayStation on tour with them to while away the spare time, with football games a particular favourite.

This time around, Cricket 2002 could be travelling with them, although there would probably be a fight to see who would be England.

Predictably, Thorpe's favourite virtual contest is attempting to regain the Ashes - in Australia, although England tend to fare better when he is representing the opposition!

"We've probably got a better chance of winning on the video game at the moment," he conceded.

"But there's no reason why that shouldn't change in the near future, especially if the youngsters we've got coming through can gel together."

England's chances in the Ashes might improve on the video screen

And does Thorpe pick himself in the team when he's managing the virtual England side?

"It depends - sometimes I call myself up and do OK, other times I play so badly I get dropped!" he laughed.

As well as Test matches, players can also take part in the World Cup and day/night games, all under the watchful eyes of commentator Richie Benaud.

But perhaps the most exciting aspect of Cricket 2002 is the chance to pick the all-time greats and pit them against their contemporaries.

You can just imagine the excitement in the commentary box when Benaud gets to give his opinions on the classic Australian XI....

"And here comes Benaud - and that's a marvellous delivery. Ah, they don't make 'em like they used to!"