Have little stick on three larger sticks. Try to knock the little stick off the big ones while some goombah tries to whack that ball so that he can run like crazy between the sticks. The only choices being where to stand on the field and how hard to whack the ball. Strategy right?

How's about there being fast bowlers, spin bowlers, specialist batsmen, even specialist fielders.

If one could adopt the American Football way, I guess for example when the new ball is taken, the batting side could discuss what they are to do, substitute the existing batsmen for specialist openers best suited for the bombardment of fast bowling... And the player selected purely for his bowling skills need never bat, etc.?

No thanks.