Atherton, Michael (1968-…), was an outstanding English cricketer. He became the longest-serving captain of the England team in June 1997, during the second Ashes Test against Australia, when he led them out for the 42nd time. Atherton was a right-handed batsman with a solid technique and a fine cover drive. He was a useful leg spin bowler until a back injury caused him to concentrate on batting.
Michael Andrew Atherton was born on March 23, 1968, in Failsworth, Manchester. He made his first class, or senior, debut for Cambridge University in 1987 and began playing county cricket for Lancashire in the same year. He was selected for the national team in 1989 and scored a career 7,728 runs at an average of about 37 runs per innings in Test matches. Atherton retired from competition in 2001 and became a cricket journalist and television commentator.
