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Atherton, Michael Andrew (1968– )

English cricketer. A right-handed opening batsman from Lancashire, he captained England in a record 54 Tests. His determination as a batsman marked him out as the key wicket for any opposition team, and he finished his career having scored the fourth-most Test runs for England.

Career highlights

Test cricket (1989–2001)

appearances: 115; runs: 7,728; average: 37.69; not out: 7; 100s: 16; best: 185 not out (v. South Africa 1995); catches: 83

One-day internationals (1990–98)

appearances: 54; runs: 1,791; average: 35.12; not out: 3; 100s: 2; best: 127 (v. West Indies 1995); catches: 15

All first-class cricket (1987–2001)

appearances: 336; batting: runs: 21,929; average: 40.83; not out: 47; 100s: 54; best: 268 not out (v. Glamorgan 1999); bowling: overs: 1,496.5; wickets: 108; runs: 4,733; average: 43.82; best: 6–78 (v. Nottinghamshire 1990); catches: 268

Awards

Wisden Cricketer of the Year

1991

Atherton first played for Lancashire when he was a Cambridge University student in 1987. He captained Cambridge University 1988–89, and made his Test debut in 1989. In the Second Test against Australia at Lord's in 1997, he led England for the 43rd time in Tests, breaking the record for captaining England set by Peter May in the 1950s. In July 1999, he scored a career best of 268 not out for Lancashire against Glamorgan at Blackpool. He played his 100th Test in July 2000 against the West Indies at Old Trafford and retired from first-class cricket after the 2001 Ashes series. After his retirement as a player, he pursued a career as a commentator on radio and television. He was awarded an OBE in 1997.

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