Can someone tell us why it took this long for a real cricket game to come out for the Wii? First screens inside.

Nintendo Wii owners will finally be able to swing their Wii remote as a cricket bat* this August when Ashes Cricket 2009 is released by British publisher Codemasters.

Quite why it took so long for a publisher to realise that a cricket game on the Wii would be a license to print money is beyond us here at Vooks, but all we can say is that we are glad that someone finally wizened up.

Aside from the ability to wield the Wii remote as a bat, players will be able to use the motion and pointer controls to polish the ball, set their field, and apply swing or spin to their bowling deliveries.

The game will also feature fully licensed players, kit and stadia from the upcoming Ashes Series between England and Australia.

The Wii edition of Ashes Cricket 2009 will enable up to four players to take to the field in a variety of game modes including the iconic Ashes Series, Test Matches and limited over games including 20-20 clashes.

Ashes Cricket 2009 will also feature a ’Scenario’ mode that pits players against more than 50 match defining moments, such as scoring vital match-winning runs, taking dramatic last-gasp wickets and seeing off the oppositions’ danger men to succeed.

As well as featuring the fully licensed teams from England and Australia, Ashes Cricket 2009 will feature six other Test playing nations as well as 10 of the world’s most recognizable stadia, including the five playing grounds featuring in this summer’s npower Ashes Series.

The commentary team boasts cricketing favourites Tony Greig, Ian Botham, Shane Warne, Jonathan Agnew and Ian Bishop.

Developed by Gusto Games, Ashes Cricket 2009 will be released this August for Wii. The game will be released for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in July. Playing the new game on anything else when the Wii option is available sounds laughable, but people have been known to do sillier things.

Codemasters are the ideal company to deliver the Wii’s first cricket experience, with a proven pedigree across six Brian Lara-branded cricket games over the last decade.

*No, Big Beach Sports does NOT count!