The legendary (in some quarters) Cricket Captain video game has returned for 2018. Since 1998, the game has been revised and updated nearly every year, and the latest release feels fresh but also very familiar to those acquainted with previous editions.

For those new to the series, Cricket Captain is a management game allowing players to take control of domestic and international teams.

The 2018 edition allows you to captain the domestic teams of eight different countries, taking in England, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies. Of course, if domestic stuff isn’t for you can always get stuck in with a Test nation straight away. Test cricket newbies, Ireland and Afghanistan, are available in career mode for the first time.

But Cricket Captain 2018 is still just a speck of inspiration away from being a seriously great sports management game. An aspect other games excel is in giving a mass database of characters personalities. “I would not like to join your club, Delhi have much bigger ambitions,” said Jason Roy as I attempted to add him to Kolkata’s IPL roster. Unfortunately, that’s as far as conversation goes. There also remains no voice from the fans. And the prevalence of cricket boards and the media which could add extra storylines to the already engrossing seasons.

But these quibbles are simply a yearn for a couple of luxury features. What Cricket Captain 2018 does do is continue the series’ legacy as the most comprehensive and complete cricket video game. For Cricket Captain enthusiasts, this year’s edition will be exactly as you’d expect. Returners and newcomers, be prepared to be stunned by an impressive volume of statistics and minute details which help to subtly enhance a 20-year-old idea. And gather the patience required for dealing with bowlers and field settings every over, and then adjusting your batsmen’s strategy as the innings flows. As for my journey back to Division One with Kent? There’s always next season…