Cricket: Freedom for a man stuck in concrete

WHILE it may seem far fetched to suggest that Mike Atherton's transformation was entirely the result of his having given up the captaincy, it surely was the reason. At the end of his reign, as his own form disintegrated, he became a more nervous and uncertain character than usual. As a batsman his feet became ever more firmly set in concrete.

His composure at Edgbaston yesterday was remarkable. There were no signs of nerves as he waited eight overs to get off the mark. His footwork was sure and nimble, and his stroke selection excellent. It was amazing that this was the man who had been LBW shuffling despairingly across his stumps to Curtly Ambrose in the second innings of the recent Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

Atherton has obviously won a considerable battle within his own mind. When he resigned he must have been intensely disappointed, not to say dejected. He said at the time that he hoped to play in the one-day internationals in the Caribbean but was not selected and indeed suffered the ignominy of having to act as the drinks waiter and general bottle washer.

He must have felt like throwing in his hand, but with great spirit he stuck it out. To make it worse he made a poor start to this season and realised that he was now back in the ranks and that no one would do him any favours.

It has been his strong personality, which has made his recovery possible. He has shut his mind to the past and got on with it. Atherton is not a player who naturally communicates enjoyment when he bats and yet in this innings he was clearly enjoying himself immensely.

It was hard to fault him technically and the quality of his stroke play, particularly his off driving, was a delight. He played impeccably straight and always seemed unhurried, a sure sign that a batsman is on terms with himself. Of course, he will have been as surprised as anyone at the waywardness of he South African bowling.

This innings showed that Atherton is back in the team and no longer out on a limb.