Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton

Personal information
Full name	Michael Andrew Atherton
Born	(1968-03-23) 23 March 1968 (age 49) Failsworth, Lancashire, England
Nickname	Athers, Cockroach, Dready, Iron Mike, FEC, Long Handle
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Batting style	Right-handed
Bowling style	Right arm leg break
Role	Batsman
International information
National side	England
Test debut (cap 538)	10 August 1989 v Australia
Last Test	27 August 2001 v Australia
ODI debut (cap 108)	18 July 1990 v India
Last ODI	20 August 1998 v Sri Lanka
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1987–1989	Cambridge University
1987–2001	Lancashire
1987–1990	MCC
Career statistics
Competition Test ODIs FC LA Matches 115 54 336 287 Runs scored 7,728 1,791 21,929 9,343 Batting average 37.69 35.11 40.83 36.49 100s/50s 16/46 2/12 54/107 14/59 Top score 185* 127 268* 127 Balls bowled 408 0 8,981 287 Wickets 2 – 108 24 Bowling average 151.00 – 43.82 29.62 5 wickets in innings 0 – 3 0 10 wickets in match 0 n/a 0 n/a Best bowling 1/20 – 6/78 4/42 Catches/stumpings 83/- 15/- 268/- 111/-
Source: CricketArchive, 1 September 2007

Michael Andrew Atherton OBE (born 23 March 1968) is a broadcaster, journalist and retired England international cricketer. A right-handed opening batsman for Lancashire and England, and occasional leg-break bowler, he achieved the captaincy of England at the age of 25 and led the side in a record 54 Test matches. Known for his stubborn resistance during an era of hostile fast bowling, Atherton was described in 2001 as a determined defensive opener who made "batting look like trench warfare". He had several famed bouts with bowlers including South Africa's Allan Donald and Australia's Glenn McGrath. Atherton often played the anchor role at a time when England batting performances lacked consistency and the side's overseas results were mediocre.

His playing career included some controversy, including an accusation of ball tampering, and several brushes with the media with whom, by Atherton's own admission, he did not have a good understanding when he was a player. Often hampered by a chronic back complaint which was to contribute to the end of his career, Atherton was considered a leading England batsman during the 1990s. Following retirement he became a journalist and is currently a cricket commentator with Sky Sports, and cricket correspondent of The London Times.

Atherton was born in Failsworth, Lancashire, England. His family includes several lesser known sportspeople, such as his father Alan, a former Manchester United goalkeeper in the 1960s. During 1st test of India tour of England 2014, he also added that his dad played only in the reserves, never for the main team.

As a youth, he captained the Manchester Grammar School cricket team, for whom he scored almost 3,500 runs and took 170 wickets. His performances led to selection for the England under-19 team, which he captained aged 16. He also represented Lancashire Schools from 1982 to 1986. In 1983 he won the Jack Hobbs Memorial Award as the Outstanding Schoolboy Cricketer at under-15 level. In a (non-first-class) match against the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1984 he took 6–27.