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 Manchester United fan, he finds time to ralex away from cricket. He was ...  Read the complete review

Looking back on the last decade of English cricket there is very little to be proud of. However, one of the few consolations to the English cricket fan has been the service Michael Atherton has given to the international game. After captaining Manchester Grammar School for 3 years and playing for Lancashire since 1987, he made is test debut in 1989, a few months after leaving Cambridge. Since then he has been the mainstay of the England batting line up his position at the top of the innings jeopardised only by injury. His test record stands him as statistically one of the greatest test players of all time. Few players can claim to have been more important to their ..  Read the complete review

I personally think Micheal Atherton is one of Engalnd's finest cricketers and being a fellow Lancastrian I beleive the media are the people that are giving him the slump he is going through. Micheal Atherton is one of the only players in the world to get the upper hand over most bowlers he has ever faced but the media still give him a hard time. So he may not be the fastest or most powerful cricketers in the game today but he is reliable and brings team morale up. If ever the media have caused the downfall of one of our greatest cricketers ever Micheal Atherton is the one they have done it to.  Read the complete review

Michael Atherton is, in my oppinion, England's best player. He is the only batsman that has consistently got the upper hand over virtually all of the worlds top bowlers and it is vital that he continues to play for England for as long as possible. England managed to pull off a remarkable 1-0 series win in Pakistan for only the second time ever, and in the process became the first team to beat Pakistan in their capital, largely thanks to the batting of Mike Atherton. His magnificent hundred in Englands first innings created the platform for an unlikely victory - and the rest of the team responded to his lead. Atherton does not have the right ...  Read the complete review

Atherton's century against the West Indies at the Oval, was just marvelous, It was so nice to see Atherton play so well. We all know he has the potential too, but he never these days seems to fulfill it. One thing, I always know, is that if Atherton sticks around the side will do well around him. And if he gets out early, the side normally struggles. How fitting was it, that Atherton was out by Ambrose. In my eyes Atherton and Ambrose are two greats. A few more knocks from Atherton during the winter tour and the team could do really well. Atherton has had his injury problems in recent seasons, but he did play consistently against the West Indies, and he ...  Read the complete review