Arthur Crabtree wrote:Atherton says that Illingworth devised the role of a soccer style supremo (something that was often talked about during his job at the BBC) and so got rid of people who used to support the side off the field. But then didn't bother doing the job himself. They'd always find him on tours by the pool. Consequently, the senior players were doing mundane tour managers jobs.
Durhamfootman wrote:I notice that Cook is still in the Essex squad. Has he only retired from international cricket? He would probably make a better batting coach than Ramprakash
Arthur Crabtree wrote:The Test in 1995 that is most closely woven into the tapestry of England's cricketing mythology is the draw at the Wanderers, the scene of Mike Atherton's legendary eleven hour blockade erected against the hostility of the South African quartet of pace bowlers: Donald, Pollock, McMillan and Pringle. The sixth longest innings ever played by an England batter.
Ever since I started following cricket, there was always a belief that England players were never more at home than when fighting adversity, a faith that withstood abundant and frequent evidence to the contrary. Probably it has its roots in the foundation myth of modern Britain, the World War II of Churchill, Dunkirk and digging for victory. Commentators would look in vain for the same spirit in their sporting sons and daughters. And when it actually happened, it felt so right. And it felt especially right when it was Mike Atherton, cussed and pragmatic, backed up by the eccentric and improvisational Jack Russell who batted for nearly six hours for 29*
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