32 Facts About Michael Atherton

Michael Andrew Atherton was born on 23 March 1968 and is a broadcaster, journalist and a former England international first-class cricketer.

Michael Atherton had several famed bouts with bowlers including South Africa's Allan Donald and Australia's Glenn McGrath.

Michael Atherton often played the anchor role at a time when England batting performances lacked consistency.

Michael Atherton's 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.

Michael Atherton's family includes several known sportspeople, such as his father Alan, a former Manchester United reserve central defender in the 1960s.

Michael Atherton's performances led to selection for the England under-19 team, which he captained aged 16.

Michael Atherton's heady rise continued when he made his debut for England in the fifth test of 1989 against Australia at Trent Bridge, where he scored 0 and 47.

Michael Atherton's chance came when several England players announced their decision to go on a rebel tour to South Africa and so were banned from the Test team.

Michael Atherton learned that he would make his debut when captain David Gower threw a plastic bag of England caps and sweaters at him.

Michael 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.

Michael Atherton shared an opening partnership of 204 with Gooch against India at Lord's, in the match famous for Gooch's scores of 333 and 123, as well as further big opening partnerships in the next two Tests, and Test centuries against New Zealand and India earned him the title of Young Cricketer of the Year.

Michael Atherton struggled against the West Indies in 1991 and missed the 1992 Cricket World Cup and tour of New Zealand with fitness problems, but was recalled to the Test team in the summer of 1992.

Michael Atherton 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.

Michael Atherton was accused of lying to Peter Burge, the match referee.

Michael Atherton believed that Burge was referring to nefarious substances such as resin or lip salve.

Nonetheless the TV pictures were damning, showing Michael Atherton deliberately putting dirt, taken from the pitch, on the ball.

Michael Atherton played one of his best innings, grinding out 99 before being caught and bowled by Brian McMillan.

Michael Atherton stated that this innings was the best answer he could have given to the 'gutter press'.

Michael Atherton led England to a win in the third Test at the Oval, which tied the series, although he failed to score a century.

Michael Atherton's 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.

England crashed out of the 1996 Cricket World Cup after defeat to eventual champions Sri Lanka, controversy ensuing during this tournament after a defeat when Michael Atherton's irritated observation about a local journalist was picked up on tape.

Michael Atherton continued to play Test cricket for a further four years before retiring at the end of the 2001 Ashes.

Michael Atherton averaged under thirty, with only one century in 33 tests.

Michael Atherton was dismissed for nought on 20 occasions at Test level, which was an English record at the time of his retirement.

Michael Atherton was a journalist for The Sunday Telegraph and succeeded Christopher Martin-Jenkins as The Times cricket correspondent on 1 May 2008.

Michael 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 "Bumble" Lloyd and former England captain David Gower.

Michael Atherton has written Gambling: A Story of Triumph and Disaster, published in 2006.

Michael Atherton was one of the commentators in 2011 Cricket World Cup.

Michael Atherton has gained fame for his no nonsense but dryly humorous views on cricket.

Michael Atherton is married to Isabelle De Caires, hailing from Guyana.

Michael Atherton made his first-class debut for Middlesex versus Gloucestershire at Cheltenham on 5 July 2021.

Michael 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.