Although I am an Aussie supporter I still admire the courage and style of Michael Atherton. He is not my favorite player but definitely right up there and this page is my tribute to him.
Athers has now moved to number 10 on the list of top batsmen. Tendulkar is at number 1 but Athers is making a charge!
England is playing Pakistan at the moment and Athers scored an unbeaten 65* to help England struggle to a draw.
Thanks to everyone who sent in about Athers' opening partners, the complete list is: Butcher, Ramprakash, Knight, Crawley, Stewart, Gooch, James, Maddy, Morris, Gallian, Lathwell, Larkins, Trescothick.
I was at the Adelaide Ashes test and got this picture of "Athers" after he had been fielding in 40 the right with degree heat all day! (he is on the English cap.):
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Before the Ashes series Atherton had been in some great form, he won the Man
Of The Series 
award against South Africa in the series where
England won with a stunning comeback. Although not always regarded as stylish he is a very tough
competitor as his innings against South Africa to save a test
match, in 1995, demonstrates. In that innings he batted for 643
minutes for his 185*, a gutsy effort. Atherton was once captain
before handing that job onto Alec Stewart. While captain he
endured and copped a fair amount of critiscm, especially from the
English press. Of course he was most under fire when England was
loosing, which unfortunately for England but good for Australia,
was quite often. Atherton was also suspected for ball tampering a
few years back. The press suspected him of rubbing dirt onto the
ball. These allegations led to nothing. However from this point
many people, wrongly, thought Michael Atherton was a cheat. Mike
Atherton now faces a new challenge, a back injury. Because of
this injury Mike had to miss the World Cup. Thankfully though he
seems to be over this injury and after returning in the series
against New Zealand Athers is on his way to South Africa with the
England team.
Quotes
Here are some quotes from an article Atherton wrote after he was dropped from the English World Cup squad because of his back injury. Click here for the whole article.
| On his fitness | "within the last 12 months I have become a fitness risk." |
| "I will take as long as it takes to return to 100 per cent fitness before I play again." | |
| On England's chances at in the World Cup. | "England should be better prepared than most." |
| On how good test cricket really is | "anybody who saw that pulsating match in Barbados this week (WI V Aus) will need no reminding that it is Test cricket which has no peer." |
| On cricket players in general | "players are prized assets and to treat them as such." |
Steve Waugh calls Athers "The Cockroach" because no matter how many times people stamp on him he gets back up.
Other Pictures Of Michael Atherton (new pics just added)
Full Name: Michael Andrew Atherton.
Born: 23 March 1968, Manchester, Lancashire.
Teams: England, Lancashire, Cambridge University.
Batting Style: Right Handed.
Bowling Style: Leg Break.
First Class Debut: 1987
Test Debut: V Australia at Nottingham, 5th
test, 1989.
TESTS
(including 25/11/1999)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting 91 169 6 6178 185* 37.90 12 38 59 -
O M R W Ave Best 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 68 12 302 2 151.00 1-20 - - 204.0 4.44
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
(including 20/08/1998)
M I NO Runs HS Ave SR 100 50 Ct St
Batting 54 54 3 1791 127 35.11 - 2 12 15 -
O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling - - - - - - - - - -
1999 ENGLISH FIRST-CLASS
Batting M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
All First-class 9 15 2 578 268* 44.46 1 2 4 -
County Championship 6 9 2 439 268* 62.71 1 1 3 -
Bowling O M R W Ave Best 5 10 SR Econ
All First-class - - - - - - - - - -
County Championship - - - - - - - - - -
1999 ENGLISH ONE-DAY
Batting M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
National League 7 6 2 244 95* 61.00 - 3 1 -
Super Cup 0 - - - - - - - - -
NatWest Trophy 1 1 0 61 61 61.00 - 1 - -
Bowling O M R W Ave Best 4w 5w SR Econ
National League - - - - - - - - - -
Super Cup 0 - - - - - - - - -
NatWest Trophy - - - - - - - - - -
me at mlebbon@hotmail.com
Visit "From The Stretford End" a page devoted to the Lancashire Cricket Club, the club that Atherton plays for.