``I think we should be taking the seven batsmen who played at the Oval, along with John Crawley, who I consider a classy player, and Steve James, of Glamorgan, who is getting stacks of runs,'' he said.

That would indicate that Atherton wants to stay on, at least as player, and also suggests that Mark Ramprakash is back in favour.

But the England captain emphasised that the win over Australia would do nothing to influence him. ``I have lots of things to think about and then I'll make the right decision.''

At any selection meeting, Atherton doubtless will also throw his lot behind Andy Caddick and Phil Tufnell as leading candidates when the list of attackers for the West In- dies is drawn up.

In Atherton's view this was the best Australian side he had played against, singling out bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. ``They deserved to win the series and we missed our opportunities at Old Trafford and Headingley. The com- mitment of our players was never in doubt but sometimes the quali- ty of the cricket we played was open to question.

``The consistency of players needs to improve, in par- ticular a more consistent approach to our batting.''

Both Atherton and Mark Taylor found little to commend in the Oval pitch, pointing out that the ball had begun to go through the top on the first day. Taylor - who said this would be his last tour of England as a player - described the wicket as ``substandard'' and the game itself as ``remarkable''.

Nottinghamshire's team manager, Alan Ormrod, yesterday revealed that he and cricket committee chairman Stuart Foster had ``firmed up'' their interest in signing Australia's Shane Warne with the offer of a two-year contract during further talks with the leg-spinner's representative, Austin Robertson.

With Warne, who is also sought by Lancashire, certain to be on World Cup duty in 1999, the offer concerns the 1998 and 2000 seasons.