Atherton holds key to Ashes, says Gatting (19 November 1998)

19 November 1998

Atherton holds key to Ashes, says Gatting

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

England's plans to win back The Ashes hinge on the form and fitness of Lancashire batsman Michael Atherton.

That is the verdict of England selector Mike Gatting, speaking exclusively to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, as Alec Stewart's side prepare to face the Aussies in the First Test in Brisbane tomorrow.

Gatting is more qualified than most to pass judgment on the nation's chances, being the last man to captain an England side to victory in an Ashes series back in 1987.

Success for the Poms has been about as common as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip since.

But fresh from a Test series victory over South Africa during the summer, England appear to have their best chance of Ashes success in over a decade Ñ providing a rejuvenated Atherton can shake off his back problems and come up trumps.

"I am sure Athers is going to have a crucial role," said Gatting, who retired from first class cricket at the end of the summer.

"One of his greatest traits is his stubborness and the ability to bat for long, long periods, concentrating for great lengths of time.

"That's the sort of person we need.

"Chris Broad was fabulous on our trip in 1987 along with Bill Athey when they opened the innings.

"They both really took it on board and enabled people down the order to have an easier passage.

"I think in Athers and Mark Butcher we have a good partnership.

"If they can just think about batting for at least the first 20 overs to see the shine off the ball, which is a very important time over there, then we'll have a chance."

Although Atherton is identified as a crucial figure, England need every player from one to 11 to perform if they want to come back with The Ashes.

Opportunities against the Australians in their own backyard are few and far between so Stewart's men must seize the day to stand any chance.

"You've got to make use of every chance you get out there," said Gatting.

"If you want to beat a very good team you've got to play as a team yourself.

"It's up to the guys to get their heads together and make sure they realise what it's about.

"It's about players trying to perform at their very, very best every time they go out. "If people do that and they don't think about other things but just concentrate solely on trying to win a cricket match for their country, then I think we'll get off on the right footing."

One man who could destroy England coach David Lloyd's best laid plans single-handedly is leg spinner Shane Warne.

He made his comeback from a shoulder injury last week, and although that looks like keeping him out of the first two Tests, he could return for the decisive second half of the series.

Gatting himself knows all too well how dangerous the Aussie spin-king can be after being memorably bamboozled by an absolute beauty off Warne's first Test delivery on English soil.

"When he played in his first Test match he bowled a magnificent delivery and he seems to have been repeating it quite regularly since.

"He's a great bowler but I don't know how the shoulder injury will have affected him after the operation.

"But I would personally like to beat the Australians with him in their side because it would be a great achievement then.

"With Warney out of the side people perhaps might not think it's as big an achievement."

If Warne does play then John Crawley could be England's best weapon against him.

The new Lancashire captain finished the domestic season in blistering form and he is well respected by the Australians as a fine player of spin.

He too could be a key figure in a batting line up which in theory looks strong.

"John has been one of those guys who has played International cricket and knows what it's all about. He's also been to Australia before and knows about the rigours of playing there.

"If he gets his chance I'm sure he'll make the most of it.

"On paper, the batsmen we've got should get us enough runs because that's the area where we are looking strong.

"The bowling looks more untried and tested.

"Alan Mullally has performed well over the last year or so and Goughy did well out there last time before he got injured.

"Gus Fraser is as steady as ever and with Dominic Cork you never quite know what you are going to get.

"He can be brilliant sometimes, and sometimes not.

"So we've got quite an interesting balance."

It may be over a decade since Gatting guided his country to Ashes success in the finest moment of his illustrious career, but the memory is still fresh in his mind.

The series still holds something special and, if the present squad can build on the summer success against South Africa and emulate the class of '87, then Gatting knows just what it would mean to Atherton, Crawley, Lloyd and company.

"It was a great thing to go over there and beat them in '87, especially after we'd been written off at the beginning of the trip by our own people," said Gatting.

"To come back through that was great Ñ a wonderful experience.

"From what I gather from reading the Australian papers they don't seem to regard the Ashes as that special any more because they beat us so often.

"But when England and Australia meet I still think there's always that extra buzz when it happens.

"I just hope that buzz is very noisy and we can show the Australians that we can bat and we are prepared to take them on."

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)