Personally, I wouldn't get an off the shelf phone. I don't like any of the phones cricket are selling and think you will be unhappy. I would get a cricketized, flashed phone. Just make sure it's done correctly. There are many capable people that advertise here in the Cricket for sale forum.
Now as far as a specific reliable phone, it all depenRAB on what is important to you. Form factor? Screen size? Ease of texting, emailing? Web browser? All kinRAB of factors come into play when recommending a phone. If you would share a little more, maybe it would be easier to narrow it down for you...