Michael Atherton – who celebrates his birthday on March 23 – often seemed to be carrying England’s batting on his shoulders during the 1990s. Upon his retirement, the 2002 Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack carried this tribute by Peter Roebuck.
Throughout the 1990s Michael Atherton was the face of English cricket. Head still, eyes wary, left elbow high and feet moving neatly into position, he dedicated himself to the tasks of scoring runs, resisting bowlers and protecting his team’s position. For beneath his pale, youthful and sometimes defiantly stubbled exterior could be found a wilful man blessed with skill and determination.
What was wanting were the particular abilities needed by the hour; he lacked the sparkle and drive required to rouse a team from its slumbers, and if ever a team needed rousing during his years as Test cricketer and captain, it was England. But it was not his way to intone “Awake, arise, or be for ever fallen!” He was more inclined to say, in his suburban way, “Come on, lads, let’s get stuck in.”
Atherton was the finest English batsman of his generation, and captain in 54 Tests, a record for England. He was an even-tempered cricketer, a fierce patriot and a man prepared to fight his corner, popular with team-mates and, eventually, with distant observers. Yet he could seem aloof, even arrogant, to those who occasionally crossed his path.
His retirement was well timed and he’ll be able to relax now, writing books and articles, voicing his concerns, telling amusing stories and generally confirming that he is better company than he sometimes cared to show. He made an outstanding contribution to his country’s cricket and his only regret must be that greatness did not bestow its largesse upon him.
