Editing Michael Atherton

{{short description|English cricketer, broadcaster, and journalist}}
{{for|the Australian academic|Michael Atherton (musician)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|                name = Michael Atherton
|    honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|OBE}}
|               image = MikeAtherton.jpg
|            fullname = Michael Andrew Atherton
|          birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|3|23|df=yes}}
|         birth_place = [[Failsworth]], [[Lancashire]], England
|            nickname = Athers
|            heightft = 6
|          heightinch = 0
|             batting = Right-handed
|             bowling = Right arm [[leg spin|leg break]]
|                role = [[Batting order (cricket)#Opening batters|Opening batsman]]
|             website = http://www.mikeatherton.co.uk/
|              family = [[Josh de Caires]] (son)
|       international = true 
|   internationalspan = 1989–2001 
|             country = England
|       testdebutdate = 10 August
|       testdebutyear = 1989
|    testdebutagainst = Australia
|             testcap = 538
|        lasttestdate = 27 August
|        lasttestyear = 2001
|     lasttestagainst = Australia
|        odidebutdate = 18 July
|        odidebutyear = 1990
|     odidebutagainst = India
|              odicap = 108
|         lastodidate = 20 August
|         lastodiyear = 1998
|      lastodiagainst = Sri Lanka
|               club1 = [[Cambridge University Cricket Club|Cambridge University]]
|               year1 = {{nowrap|1987–1989}}
|               club2 = [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]]
|               year2 = 1987–2001
|             columns = 4
|             column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|             column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|             column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|             column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|            matches1 = 115
|            matches2 = 54
|            matches3 = 336
|            matches4 = 287
|               runs1 = 7,728
|               runs2 = 1,791
|               runs3 = 21,929
|               runs4 = 9,343
|            bat avg1 = 37.69
|            bat avg2 = 35.11
|            bat avg3 = 40.83
|            bat avg4 = 36.49
|           100s/50s1 = 16/46
|           100s/50s2 = 2/12
|           100s/50s3 = 54/107
|           100s/50s4 = 14/59
|          top score1 = 185[[not out|*]]
|          top score2 = 127
|          top score3 = 268[[not out|*]]
|          top score4 = 127
|         deliveries1 = 408
|         deliveries2 = –
|         deliveries3 = 8,981
|         deliveries4 = 812
|            wickets1 = 2
|            wickets2 = –
|            wickets3 = 108
|            wickets4 = 24
|           bowl avg1 = 151.00
|           bowl avg2 = –
|           bowl avg3 = 43.82
|           bowl avg4 = 29.62
|            fivefor1 = 0
|            fivefor2 = –
|            fivefor3 = 3
|            fivefor4 = 0
|             tenfor1 = 0
|             tenfor2 = –
|             tenfor3 = 0
|             tenfor4 = 0
|       best bowling1 = 1/20
|       best bowling2 = –
|       best bowling3 = 6/78
|       best bowling4 = 4/42
|  catches/stumpings1 = 83/–
|  catches/stumpings2 = 15/–
|  catches/stumpings3 = 268/–
|  catches/stumpings4 = 111/–
|              source = https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/mike-atherton-8579 ESPNcricinfo 
|                date = 1 September
|                year = 2007
}}

'''Michael Andrew Atherton''' {{post-nominals|OBE}} (born 23 March 1968)<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/aug/07/features.sport13 |work=The Guardian  | location=London | title=Heroes and villains: Mike Atherton | date=7 August 2005 | access-date=12 May 2010}}</ref> is a broadcaster, journalist and a former England international [[cricket]]er. A right-handed opening batsman for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]] and [[England national cricket team|England]], and occasional leg-break bowler, he achieved the captaincy of England at the age of 25 and led the side in a then record 54 [[Test cricket|Test matches]].<ref>https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/most-matches-as-captain-283746 {{Dead link|date=November 2024}}</ref> 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".<ref name="cricpro"/> He had several famed bouts with bowlers including [[South Africa cricket team|South Africa]]'s [[Allan Donald]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/144135.html | title=The gloves are off | publisher=ESPNcricinfo| date=16 April 2005 | access-date=14 November 2013 | author=Williamson, Martin}}</ref> and [[Australia cricket team|Australia]]'s [[Glenn McGrath]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/engvaus/content/story/213451.html | title=Moments that defined the men | publisher=ESPNcricinfo| date=14 July 2005 | access-date=14 November 2013 | author=Miller, Andrew}}</ref> Atherton often played the anchor role at a time when England batting performances lacked consistency.<ref name="cricpro"/>

His playing career included controversy, including [[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.<ref name="cricpro"/> 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 a cricket commentator with [[Sky Sports]], and chief cricket correspondent of ''[[The Times]]''.

==Early career==
Atherton was born in [[Failsworth]], [[Lancashire]], England.<ref name="cricpro">{{cite web | url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/8579.html | title=Player Profile: Mike Atherton | publisher=ESPNcricinfo| year=2001 | access-date=14 November 2013 | author=Booth, Lawrence}}</ref> His family includes several known sportspeople, such as his father Alan,<ref name="boltonnewsfather">{{cite web | url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6159436.Retirement_no_Test_for_Alan/ | title=Retirement no Test for Alan | work=The Bolton News | year = 1998 | access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref> a former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] reserve [[central defender]] in the 1960s.<ref name="NewStatesman">{{cite web | url=http://www.newstatesman.com/node/138460 | title=The New Statesman Interview – Michael Atherton | work=New Statesman | year=2000 | access-date=9 July 2014 | author=Fay, Stephen}}</ref>

As a youth, he captained the [[Manchester Grammar School]] cricket team, for whom he scored almost 3,500 runs and took 170 wickets.<ref>Atherton (2003) p. 7.</ref> 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.<ref>Atherton (2003) p. 9, 16.</ref> 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.<ref>Atherton (2003) p.&nbsp;7–9.</ref>

Entering [[Downing College, Cambridge]], to read History, he was selected at 18 to play for [[Cambridge University Cricket Club]] and awarded a [[Cambridge blue|blue]].<ref>Atherton (2003) p.&nbsp;10–13.</ref> A year later he made 73 on his county debut for [[Lancashire County Cricket Club|Lancashire]], scoring his maiden first-class hundred against [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]] a fortnight later.<ref>Atherton (2003) p.&nbsp;16–20.</ref> During this time he represented his university, the [[British Universities cricket team|Combined Universities cricket team]] (which he captained to the quarter finals of the [[Benson & Hedges Cup]] in [[1989 Benson & Hedges Cup|1989]]) and his county.<ref>Atherton (2003) p. 19.</ref> This early rise through the ranks, and extensive leadership experience earned him the nickname "FEC", which is thought to have stood for "future England captain". In his autobiography ''Opening Up'', Atherton is candid about the fact that there are more colourful alternatives for "FEC"; the second word being "educated"; as suggested by his teammates at the time.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/interviews/0018866-interview-michael-atherton-the-educated-cricketer.html | title=Interview: Michael Atherton – The Educated Cricketer | publisher=The Cambridge Student | year=2012 | access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref>

==International career==
Atherton's heady rise continued when he made his debut for England in the fifth test of 1989 against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] at [[Trent Bridge]], where he scored 0 and 47.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-england-scotland-netherlands-and-denmark-1989-61353/england-vs-australia-5th-test-63511/full-scorecard|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs England 5th Test 1989|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref> Atherton's chance came when several England players announced their decision to go on a [[South African rebel tours|rebel tour to South Africa]] and so were banned from the Test team. Despite these defections, he was selected as vice-captain of the 1989–90 A-team tour to [[Zimbabwe]] rather than for the [[West Indies]] tour. He learned that he would make his debut when captain [[David Gower]] threw a plastic bag of England caps and sweaters at him.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Atherton|first=Mike|title=West Indies v England: Tourists subside as venomous pitch bites the top order|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/cricket/article/west-indies-v-england-tourists-subside-as-venomous-pitch-bites-the-top-order-q0q6brx9s|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=29 April 2021|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>

Atherton returned to the England side in the summer of 1990, partnering [[Graham Gooch]] at the top of the order and giving the first demonstration of his abilities at international level. In his first innings after recall, and his first opening the batting for England, he scored 151 against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]].<ref>[http://content.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/63531.html 1st Test: England v New Zealand at Nottingham, 7–12 Jun 1990 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo]. Content.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> He shared an opening partnership of 204 with Gooch against [[India national cricket team|India]] at Lord's, in the match famous for Gooch's scores of 333 and 123,<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63534.html Cricinfo – 1st Test: England v India at Lord's, 26–31 July 1990]. Content-uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> as well as further big opening partnerships in the next two Tests,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/8579.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=fow_runs;partner=1446;partnership_wicketmax1=1;partnership_wicketval1=partnership_wicket;team=1;template=results;type=batting;view=fow_list|title=Statistics / MA Atherton / Test matches |publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> and Test centuries against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] and India earned him the title of Young Cricketer of the Year.

During the winter of 1990–91, Atherton faced a sterner test on [[the Ashes]] tour of Australia. Although he made a century in the third Test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], which would prove to be his only century in an Ashes Test, he averaged just 31 for his 279 runs, and [[English cricket team in Australia in 1990-91|England lost 3–0]]. Atherton struggled against [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1991|the West Indies in 1991]] and missed the [[1992 Cricket World Cup]] and [[English cricket team in New Zealand in 1991-92|tour of New Zealand]] with fitness problems, but was recalled to the Test team in the summer of 1992.

When Australia arrived for the [[Australian cricket team in England in 1993|1993 Ashes]] series, Atherton's place in the team was not assured. However, a consistent summer, during which he scored six 50s in six Tests (including 99 at [[Lord's]]), cemented his place in the side at a fortunate time. Graham Gooch, frustrated by continual losses against Australia, resigned as captain after the fourth Test and Atherton, aged just 25, replaced him. He lost his first match in charge but England managed to beat Australia in a morale-boosting final Test; England had not beaten Australia in the previous 18 Test matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecricketmonthly.com/story/663565/i-was-there-england-v-australia-sixth-test-the-oval-1993|title=When Atherton's men broke the hoodoo|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

Atherton's first tour as captain, to the [[West Indies]] in [[English cricket team in West Indies in 1993-94|the winter of 1993–94]], was not a success as England lost 3–1. This was a series of highs and lows: [[Brian Lara]] of the West Indies compiled a world-record 375 against them at [[Antigua Recreation Ground|Antigua]]; England were bowled out for 46 to lose the third Test (and with it the series) but then roared back at [[Kensington Oval|Bridgetown]] to win the fourth Test thanks to two centuries from [[Alec Stewart]]. For his part, Atherton was the best of the English batsmen, scoring 510 runs at an average of 56.67.

Earning plaudits for his determination and leadership, Atherton followed up with two centuries in the [[New Zealand cricket team in England in 1994|three-match series at home against New Zealand]]. His reputation suffered a blow when he was implicated in a [[ball-tampering]] controversy during the first Test against South Africa at Lord's, for which he was fined £2,000 by [[Ray Illingworth]]. Atherton was accused of lying to [[Peter Burge (cricketer)|Peter Burge]], the match referee. Atherton claims in his autobiography that he answered "no" when asked if he had anything in his pockets. He believed that Burge was referring to nefarious substances such as resin or lip salve. Nonetheless the TV pictures were damning, showing Atherton deliberately putting dirt, taken from the pitch, on the ball. Strictly speaking, Atherton was not breaking the [[Laws of cricket|laws]] – he pointed out that plenty of bowlers improve their grip on the ball by rubbing their hands on the pitch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-dirt-in-the-pocket-affair-143193|title=The dirt in the pocket affair|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

After this incident Atherton and England headed to [[Headingley Cricket Ground|Headingley]] for the second Test. Atherton played one of his best innings, grinding out 99 before being caught and bowled by [[Brian McMillan]]. Atherton stated that this innings was the best answer he could have given to the "gutter press". He led England to a win in the third Test at [[the Oval]], which tied the series, although he failed to score a century.

[[Image:Mike Atherton Graph.png|right|thumb|350px|Mike Atherton's Test career performance graph]]
After winning against South Africa, Atherton faced the supreme test of his leadership: [[English cricket team in Australia in 1994-95|an Ashes tour to Australia]]. His form stood well, with 407 runs at 40.7, but he was unable to convert any of his four half-centuries in the Test series into a hundred. Although England had a thrilling win at [[Adelaide Oval|Adelaide]], England's first Test victory in Australia for eight years, the team stumbled to a 1–3 loss. There was also controversy in the drawn [[Sydney cricket ground|Sydney]] test when England's [[Graeme Hick]] was approaching what would have been his only [[the Ashes|Ashes]] Test hundred. According to ''[[Wisden]]'': "In what was thought to be the last-but-one over of the innings, Hick, on 98, blocked three successive balls, and Atherton lost patience and ungenerously declared; he had batted far more slowly himself".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australia-v-england-1994-95-153246|title=Australia v England 1994-5|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

The next two years followed a similar pattern. Although a draw in [[West Indian cricket team in England in 1995|a Test series against the West Indies in 1995]] and victory in Test series at home against [[India cricket team|India]] and away against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] suggested that England were improving, the team continued to struggle against the talent of Australia and [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]]. Although Atherton led England to victory in the first test of the [[Australian cricket team in England in 1997|1997 Ashes]] at [[Edgbaston cricket ground|Birmingham]], England's only victory in an Ashes Test that was not a [[dead rubber]] between 1986 and 2005, England lost the series 3-2. England also crashed out of the [[1996 Cricket World Cup]] after defeat to eventual champions [[Sri Lanka cricket team|Sri Lanka]], controversy also ensuing during this tournament after a defeat when Atherton's irritated observation about a local journalist was picked up on tape.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/is-the-microphone-live-257368|title='Is the microphone live?'|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> The lack of consistent progress and the effect of a back ailment contributed to Atherton's decision to resign after five years as [[Captain (cricket)|captain]] after [[English cricket team in the West Indies in 1997-98|a defeat in the West Indies in 1997-8]].

Atherton continued to play Test cricket for a further four years before retiring at the end of the [[Australian cricket team in England in 2001|2001 Ashes]]. However, plagued by his chronic back condition, he did not manage to attain his previous levels of performance. Highlights of his later career however included [[man of the match]]-winning Test centuries at [[the Oval]] and [[National Stadium, Karachi|Karachi]] in 2000, in Tests which ensured England rare Test series victories respectively against the West Indies (their first for 31 years),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-v-west-indies-2000-153896|title=England v West Indies 2000|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> and Pakistan (their first for 18 years).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-pakistan-2000-01-61759/pakistan-vs-england-3rd-test-63901/full-scorecard|title=Full Scorecard of Pakistan v England 3rd Test 2000-1|publisher=[[ESPNCricinfo]]|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref>

Atherton's finest performances came when he had his back against the wall. Notable examples include his monumental 185 not out in 643 minutes to salvage a draw against South Africa,<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1995-96/ENG_IN_RSA/ENG_RSA_T2_30NOV-04DEC1995.html England vs South Africa 1995/6 2nd Test Scorecard]. Uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1995-96/ENG_IN_RSA/ENG_RSA_T2_30NOV-04DEC1995_ET_MR.html England vs South Africa 1995/6 2nd Test Report]. Uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> and his negation of an outstanding [[Allan Donald]] onslaught in 1998.<ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998/RSA_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/RSA_ENG_T4_23-27JUL1998.html England vs South Africa 1998 4th Test Scorecard]. Uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref><ref>[http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1998/RSA_IN_ENG/SCORECARDS/RSA_ENG_T4_23-27JUL1998_ET_MR.html England vs South Africa 1998 4th Test Report]. Uk.cricinfo.com (27 July 1998). Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> This doggedness prompted [[Steve Waugh]] to dub him "The Cockroach",<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/columns/content/current/story/287834.html Which Test cricketer was known as the "Cockroach", and why?]. Content-uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> but his record against Australia was modest. He averaged under thirty, with only one century in 33 tests.<ref>[http://statserver.cricket.org/guru?sdb=player;playerid=1928;class=testplayer;filter=basic;team=0;opposition=AUS;notopposition=0;season=0;homeaway=0;continent=0;country=0;notcountry=0;groundid=0;startdefault=1989-08-10;start=1989-08-10;enddefault=2001-08-27;end=2001-08-27;tourneyid=0;finals=0;daynight=0;toss=0;scheduledovers=0;scheduleddays=0;innings=0;result=0;followon=0;seriesresult=0;captain=0;keeper=0;dnp=0;recent=;viewtype=aro_list;runslow=;runshigh=;batposition=0;dismissal=0;bowposition=0;ballslow=;ballshigh=;bpof=0;overslow=;overshigh=;conclow=;conchigh=;wicketslow=;wicketshigh=;dismissalslow=;dismissalshigh=;caughtlow=;caughthigh=;caughttype=0;stumpedlow=;stumpedhigh=;csearch=;submit=1;.cgifields=viewtype MA Atherton – Tests – Innings by innings list]. Statserver.cricket.org. Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref> and he was dismissed 19 times by [[Glenn McGrath]], the Australian opening bowler, a record for any bowler against one batsman.<ref>[http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_BATSMAN_BOWLER.html Batsmen Dismissed Most Times by Same Bowler] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041028020853/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BOWLING/TRIVIA/MOST_TEST_BATSMAN_BOWLER.html |date=28 October 2004 }}. Cricinfo.com (1 January 1970). Retrieved on 9 May 2012.</ref>

Alongside McGrath, two other world-class bowlers frequently tormented Atherton, with Courtney Walsh dismissing him seventeen times and Shane Warne ten times. As well as being seen as struggling against the very best, Atherton has the dubious honour of having the lowest batting average of any player to have scored 6,000 or more runs in [[Test cricket]]. He was also dismissed for nought on twenty occasions at Test level, which was an English record at the time of his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/wi/content/records/283087.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|title=Most Ducks in a Career
|access-date=24 March 2018}}</ref>

===International centuries===
During his career Atherton made eighteen [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] in international cricket, sixteen of which were scored in Test matches while the other two came in One Day Internationals. In Tests, thirteen of his centuries came in the first innings and three in the second innings.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Test centuries<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics / StatsGuru / MA Atherton / Test Matches |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/8579.html?class=1;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]] |access-date=5 December 2021 }}</ref>
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Score
!Against
![[Batting order (cricket)|{{abbr|Pos.|Position in the batting order}}]]
![[Innings#Cricket|{{abbr|Inn.|The innings of the match}}]]
!{{abbr|Test|The number of the Test match played in that series}}
!Venue
!{{abbr|H/A/N|Home, Away, or Neutral venue}}
!{{abbr|Date|Date the match was held, or the starting date of match for Test matches}}
!{{abbr|Result|The result of the match from England's perspective}}
! class="unsortable" scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 151 
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 2 || 2 || 1/3 ||  [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1990|June|7}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=1st Test, New Zealand tour of England at Nottingham, Jun 7-12 1990  |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16605/scorecard/63531/england-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-1990 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 131 
|| {{cr|IND}} || 2 || 1 || 2/3 ||  [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground]], [[Manchester]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1990|August|9}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Test, India tour of England at Manchester, Aug 9-14 1990 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16585/scorecard/63535/england-vs-india-2nd-test-india-tour-of-england-1990 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 3
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 105 
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 2 || 2 || 3/5 ||  [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Sydney]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1991|January|4}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Test, England tour of Australia at Sydney, Jan 4-8 1991 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16572/scorecard/63545/australia-vs-england-3rd-test-england-tour-of-australia-1990-91 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 4 
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 144 
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 2 || 1 || 2/5 ||  [[Bourda]], [[Georgetown, Guyana|Georgetown]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|March|17}} || Loss || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Test, England tour of West Indies at Georgetown, Mar 17-22 1994 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16362/scorecard/63638/west-indies-vs-england-2nd-test-england-tour-of-west-indies-1993-94 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 5 
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 135 
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 2 || 5/5 ||  [[Antigua Recreation Ground]], [[St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda|St. Johns]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|April|16}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=5th Test, England tour of West Indies at St John's, Apr 16-21 1994 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16362/scorecard/63641/west-indies-vs-england-5th-test-england-tour-of-west-indies-1993-94 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 6 
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 101 
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 1 || 2 || 1/3 ||  [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|June|2}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=1st Test, New Zealand tour of England at Nottingham, Jun 2-6 1994 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16345/scorecard/63646/england-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-1994 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 7
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 111 
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 1 || 1 || 3/3 ||  [[Old Trafford Cricket Ground]], [[Manchester]] || Home  || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|June|30}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=1st Test, New Zealand tour of England at Nottingham, Jun 2-6 1994 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16345/scorecard/63648/england-vs-new-zealand-3rd-test-new-zealand-tour-of-england-1994 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 8
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 113  
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 2 || 1 || 5/6 ||  [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1995|April|10}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=5th Test, West Indies tour of England at Nottingham, Aug 10-14 1995 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16273/scorecard/63688/england-vs-west-indies-5th-test-west-indies-tour-of-england-1995 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 9
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 185 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|SA}} || 1 || 4 || 2/5 ||  [[Wanderers Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1995|November|30}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Test, England tour of South Africa at Johannesburg, Nov 30 - Dec 4 1995 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16250/scorecard/63701/south-africa-vs-england-2nd-test-england-tour-of-south-africa-1995-96 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 10
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 160  
|| {{cr|IND}} || 1 || 2 || 3/3 ||  [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|July|4}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Test, India tour of England at Nottingham, Jul 4-9 1996 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16185/scorecard/63715/england-vs-india-3rd-test-india-tour-of-england-1996 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 11
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 118  
|| {{cr|NZ}} || 2 || 4 || 3/3 ||  [[Lancaster Park]], [[Christchurch]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|February|14}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Test, England tour of New Zealand at Christchurch, Feb 14-18 1997 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16122/scorecard/63741/new-zealand-vs-england-3rd-test-england-tour-of-new-zealand-1996-97 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 12
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 103 
|| {{cr|SA}} || 2 || 1 || 1/5 ||  [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground]], [[Birmingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1998|
June|4}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=1st Test, South Africa tour of England at Birmingham, Jun 4-8 1998 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/15935/scorecard/63804/england-vs-south-africa-1st-test-south-africa-tour-of-england-1998 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 13
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 108 
|| {{cr|SA}} || 2 || 2 || 2/5 ||  [[St George's Park Cricket Ground|St George's Park]], [[Port Elizabeth]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|1999|
December|9}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Test, England tour of South Africa at Port Elizabeth, Dec 9-13 1999 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/15756/scorecard/63861/south-africa-vs-england-2nd-test-england-tour-of-south-africa-1999-00 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 14
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 136 
|| {{cr|ZIM}} || 1 || 1 || 2/2 ||  [[Trent Bridge]], [[Nottingham]] || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|2000|
June|1}} || Draw || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Test, Zimbabwe tour of England and Ireland at Nottingham, Jun 1-5 2000 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/15685/scorecard/63884/england-vs-zimbabwe-2nd-test-zimbabwe-tour-of-england-and-ireland-2000 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 15
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 108 
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 3 || 5/5 ||  [[The Oval]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|2000|
August|31}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=5th Test, West Indies tour of England and Scotland at The Oval, Aug 31 - Sep 4 2000 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/15675/scorecard/63892/england-vs-west-indies-5th-test-west-indies-tour-of-england-and-scotland-2000 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 16
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 125 
|| {{cr|PAK}} || 1 || 2 || 3/3 ||  [[National Stadium, Karachi]], [[Karachi]] || Away || {{dts|format=dmy|2000|
December|7}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Test, England tour of Pakistan at Karachi, Dec 7-11 2000 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/15605/scorecard/63901/pakistan-vs-england-3rd-test-england-tour-of-pakistan-2000-01 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ODI centuries<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Odi centuries |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/8579.html?class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=start;runsmin1=100;runsval1=runs;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |website=ESPN Cricinfo}}</ref>
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Score
!Against
![[Batting order (cricket)|{{abbr|Pos.|Position in the batting order}}]]
![[Innings#Cricket|{{abbr|Inn.|The innings of the match}}]]
!{{abbr|ODI|The number of the ODI's match played in that series}}
!Venue
!{{abbr|H/A/N|Home, Away, or Neutral venue}}
!{{abbr|Date|Date the match was held, or the starting date of match for the ODI}}
!{{abbr|Result|The result of the match from England's perspective}}
! class="unsortable" scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
| 1
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 127  
|| {{cr|WIN}} || 1 || 1 || 3/3 ||  [[Lord's]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1995|May|28}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=3rd ODI, West Indies tour of England at Lord's, May 28 1995 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16273/scorecard/65016/england-vs-west-indies-3rd-odi-west-indies-tour-of-england-1995 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|-
| 2
! scope="row" | {{ntsh|1270}} 113 [[not out]]
|| {{cr|AUS}} || 1 || 2 || 2/3 ||  [[The Oval]], London || Home || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|May|24}} || Win || <ref>{{cite web |title=2nd ODI, Australia tour of England and Scotland at The Oval, May 24 1997 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/16057/scorecard/65024/england-vs-australia-2nd-odi-australia-tour-of-england-and-scotland-1997 |website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]}}</ref>
|}

==Post-playing career==
[[File:Athers3.JPG|thumb|Atherton conducting interviews for Sky Sports during the [[2006–07 Ashes series]]]]
Since his retirement from the game, Atherton has carved out a successful career in the media. He was a journalist for ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'' and succeeded [[Christopher Martin-Jenkins]] as ''[[The Times]]'' cricket correspondent on 1 May 2008.<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/england/content/story/317041.html Atherton moves to The Times], Cricinfo.com</ref>

Between 2002 and 2005, he was a member of the [[Channel 4]] commentary team for the coverage of Test cricket in England. During this period he also worked as a commentator for [[BBC Radio]] and [[Talksport]] on Test matches outside England. Atherton joined the [[Sky Sports]] commentary team in 2005, after they won the rights to live Test cricket in England, joining long-time England teammate [[Nasser Hussain]], their former England coach [[David Lloyd (cricketer)|David "Bumble" Lloyd]] and former England captain [[David Gower]]. He commentates on all forms of the game, home and abroad, as well as covering some domestic matches. He often performs as the post-match master of ceremonies for internationals in England, presenting awards and interviewing players.

In 2002 he produced his autobiography: ''Opening Up''. He has also written ''Gambling: A Story of Triumph and Disaster'', published in 2006.

In March 2010, he won [[Sports journalism|Sports Journalist of the Year]], at the [[British Press Awards]]. The judges announced this was "a unanimous choice", praised the former England cricket captain for "tackling subjects way beyond cricket" and said "the brilliance of his writing shines."<ref>{{cite news |title=Former England opener still No 1 |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0504046044/TTDA?u=mclib&sid=bookmark-TTDA&xid=b7ad4e5a |access-date=28 June 2024 |work=[[The Times]] |via=The Times Digital Archive |issue=69904 |date=25 March 2010 |pages=85 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> He was named the Sports Writer of the Year by the [[Sports Journalists' Association]] in 2009 and 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=Past winners of the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards |url=https://www.sportsjournalists.co.uk/sja-journalism-awards/past-winners-of-the-sja-journalism-awards/ |website=Sports Journalists' Association |access-date=28 June 2024}}</ref>

He was one of the commentators in [[2011 Cricket World Cup]]. He has gained fame for his no nonsense but dryly humorous views on cricket.{{cn|date=August 2020}}

==Personal life==
Atherton is married to Isabelle De Caires (granddaughter of West Indies test cricketer [[Frank De Caires]]), hailing from Guyana. Atherton's elder son, [[Josh de Caires]], signed a professional contract with [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex]] in 2020, and made his first-class debut for Middlesex in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Atherton's son signs Middlesex deal|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53909299|access-date=29 April 2021}}</ref>

==Health==

Atherton has no [[Sense of smell|sense of smell]], something his family first noticed when he was 6 or 7.  He has no memory of ever having this sense, but did not think about this until the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], when there was much discussion of sufferers losing their sense of smell, and he wondered what he was missing.  He thinks this may affect his taste, but takes the view that if one is going to lose one sense, smell is the one to lose.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tanya |last=Aldred | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/19/atherton-katich-thrived-without-all-senses-intact-cricket-the-spin |title = Off the scent |date = 19 March 2025 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>

Atherton suffers from the degenerative condition [[ankylosing spondylitis]], which meant he could not duck under bouncers, but had to stand tall and sway out of the way. Allan Donald used this against him by bowling short.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2166812.stm | title = Probe into arthritis pain | date = 24 August 2002 | access-date =7 August 2008 |work=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Nick Gough|title=Puzzling Out General Medicine, Part 2|access-date=18 December 2011|year=2005|publisher=Remedica|isbn=1-901346-87-0|page=60|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njbWZXMo3OYC&q=Mike+Atherton+Ankylosing+spondylitis&pg=PA60}}</ref>

==References==
;Notes
{{reflist}}
;Written sources
* {{cite book | title=Opening Up | publisher=Coronet Books | author=Atherton, Michael | year=2003 | page=296 | isbn=0-340-82233-3}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Michael Atherton}}
* {{ESPNcricinfo|id=8579}}
* [http://www.mikeatherton.co.uk Atherton's personal website]

{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|
 before=[[Graham Gooch]]|
 title=[[English national cricket captains|English national cricket captain]]|
 years=1993–1998|
 after=[[Alec Stewart]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{England Test cricket captains}}
{{England ODI cricket captains}}
{{Englishmen with 100 or more Test caps}}
{{England 1996 Cricket World Cup squad}}
{{PCA Player of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Atherton, Michael}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
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