Quotes of the week

Steve Waugh was saying just how much the Australians respect Atherton. He said: `They say he's like a cockroach you can't kill. You stamp on him but he keeps coming back'. Adam Hollioake on the England cricket captain.

n We have to get a bit of nastiness in our game. Everyone can work out how you can get nasty. When you are playing the best team in the world you can't afford to be soft. Nasser Hussain.

n These are the worst scenes I have ever seen on a cricket field. It was a mercy they called it off. Tony Lewis, BBC commentator, after the confrontation between Essex's Mark Ilott and Glamorgan's Robert Croft in the NatWest Trophy semi-final.

n Sometimes he was a little ahead of our script. Steve Coppell, Crystal Palace manager, on his Italian newcomer, Attilio Lombardo, after the 1- 0 home defeat to Barnsley.

n There is a big gap between Italian and English football. Lombardo.

n One thing I have learned from being at Spurs is the word crisis. Gerry Francis, Tottenham manager, after supporters called for his departure following his side's poor start to the season.