Hopps D: Illingworth olive branch for Atherton (10 Mar 95)

Illingworth olive branch for Atherton - David Hopps

RAYMOND Illingworth is anxious to rebuild his understanding with Michael Atherton after a divisive Australian tour. The Ashes defeat has already seen the dismissal of England`s team manager Keith Fletcher, but it is inconceivable that the captain`s position is immediately at risk.

Illingworth`s omnipotent role as a chairman of selectors with full control of team affairs had hardly been announced when he was asked to pass judgment upon Atherton`s future.

His response, "the captaincy is a job for the selectors to consider", was ambiguous but essentially he supports Atherton; he just mildly objects to assumptions that the captain`s position is impregnable.

Atherton`s position will first be officially considered at Edgbaston on April 18, the first day of the season`s opener between England A and the county champions, Warwickshire. Illingworth`s fellow selectors Fred Titmus and David Graveney will also be there but would not outvote him on a matter of such importance.

Even if Illingworth did favour a change, there is not a candidate in sight-assuming, that is, he himself has no plans to come out of retirement a second time. Mike Gatting, always an Illingworth favourite, has announced his international retirement and Alec Stewart`s fingers have been mangled too often for comfort.

Illingworth and Atherton are both men with strong principles and a desire for their own way, but they must reach an understanding on Atherton`s cri de coeur, the need for a more youthful England side.

"I think it`s fair to say because of what happened during the winter that me and him need to sit down and have a good chat about one or two areas," Illingworth said.

Atherton, presently on a golfing holiday in Florida, will restate his beliefs when he returns. In Australia, the feeling was germinating in his mind that the immense stresses of the England captaincy were only worth enduring if he had the players he believed in.

"I`ve never seen or been involved in an unhappy dressing room that produced a successful team," Illingworth said yesterday. "I felt there was a difference between our dressing room last August and the one in Australia."

He referred to a lack of "motivation and confidence", shortcomings for which Fletcher has been held responsible. Atherton`s own motivational qualities are likely to be addressed. But only alongside Atherton can Illingworth hope to succeed.

Source :: The Guardian