Michael Atherton

So its now official. Michael Atherton has quit first class and test cricket, after a disappointing fifth test which England lost by an innings, and the ashes which were lost, after Atherton took charge in Hussain’s absence. He will be sorely missed, he was a great player for Lancashire and England, and was a huge influence to English cricket, in a poor run of form he was the shinning light. Michael Andrew Atherton was born in Failsworth, near Manchester on 23rd March 1968. Athers attended Manchester Grammar school, and went on to read history at Cambridge Uni. A keen golfer and a ... more

With England having completed a test win over Pakistan in 3 days yesterday I felt that it was time to pay tribute to the mainstay of the team, Michael Atherton. Mike Atherton was educated at Manchester Grammar school. I remember being dropped from the under 15 rugby team in a match against Manchester Grammar. As luck would have it we were walloped 55-0. So it proves that Manchester Grammar had a good sporting prowess even in the 1970s. Athers first came to my notice in an article in the Cricketer magazine in 1986/7. It stated that Athers had great dedication and was possibly a test player of ... more

It has recently been confirmed that Michael Atherton,the Lancastrian opening batsman and former English captain,has played his very last test match for his country. How can we judge him and his contribution for England over the last twelve years ? The gritty opener has played in some 117 tests for his country and scored around 7,625 runs in test cricket. This,I believe, is the fourth highest number of runs scored by an English batsman in tests.He also managed to hit some 16 centuries and get well over 40 half centuries. The former captain of Manchester Grammer School, Mike made his debut for ... more

After a dire period as captain a few years back when he could not bat for toffee, Michael Atherton has cemented his place at the top of the batting order again. He was crucial in the series win over South Africa two summers ago, and has performed consistently since. He still possesses an ability to attract a few excellent deliveries at the beginning of an innings, but if he survives the first few overs then he is a good bet for a commanding score acting as the anchor to the team. ... more

In the second half of the 1990's, Athers has been the only English batsman who has consistently deserved his selection in the side. It is a credit to his stature, if not a little concerning, that the success of the English innings depends on how long he stays at the crease. His technique, temperament and composure are matched only by his likely successor Michael Vaughan. And, unlike his fellow team members, Athers rarely gives his wicket away cheaply. His job had been made even more difficult by the inability of his fellow openers; the constant failings of Butcher, Knight and now Ramprakrash ... more