As widely anticipated, Michael Atherton today announced his retirement from international and first-class cricket as a whole at the end of this season.

In making his announcement, Atherton said: "The Oval Test match was my last for England and I now intend to fulfil my commitments with Lancashire before retiring from cricket at the end of the current season. I have enjoyed 15 wonderful years in cricket and would like to thank all the players and staff I have been involved with at Lancashire and England since I first came into the professional game."

Atherton's decision to retire hardly comes as a surprise. Rumours about the future of the England opener have been circling ever since the severity of his degenerative back condition became apparent several years ago.

Aged just 33, he is still a relatively young man. Players of the calibre of Graham Gooch and Steve Waugh have had arguably their best years after that age, but they did not suffer from the same persistent and painful injury problems.

Atherton's defiance and determination have characterised the best qualities of the English side throughout the 1990s, indeed he has been the top Test run scorer in all Test cricket since January 1990. A good performance from Atherton was the pre-requisite for a decent total from his side, and during some pretty dark years English cricket was primarily dependent on Atherton's stubborn nature.

Having played in 115 Tests and captained England a record 54 times, Atherton is assured of a distinguished place in history. But his record may not do him full justice. A final career average of 37.69 does not tell of his full worth to England over the past decade. Often targeted by the opposition fast bowlers as 'the' key wicket, he has been burdened with more than his share in a weak period for English cricket.

Atherton's 185 not out v South Africa in Johannesburg in December 1995 was described by Ray Illingworth as one of the great Test innings, and will probably go down as Atherton's finest hour. In fact several of his finest innings came against South Africa. At Trent Bridge in July 1998 he defied Allan Donald at his most ferocious in one of the most compelling duals in Test history. He finished not out on 98 as England completed an eight-wicket win that was instrumental in a long-awaited series win.

Atherton's 94 in the first innings at Christchurch, February 19, followed by 118 in the second took England to victory in an epic fourth innings struggle against New Zealand. More recently a century in Karachi (December 2000) was instrumental in a series win for England against Pakistan.

His one-day international record is also far better than is often assumed. An average of 35.11 is more than respectable, and though he was later seen as being surplus to requirements for England, innings of 113 not out and 64 in two of his last three games dispute the wisdom of that decision.

Atherton has had his share of disappointments too. The controversy over the 'dirt in the pocket' affair and subsequent fine imposed by match referee Peter Burge in July 1994, while playing against South Africa is the most notorious.

Atherton never played in an Ashes winning side, and has an average of fewer than 30 against England's oldest foe due, in large part, to Glenn McGrath taking his wicket a remarkable 19 times. It is the highest number of dismissals of an individual batsman by a single bowler in Test history.

Atherton's team-mates have been quick to pay tribute. Mark Butcher said: "He's been a magnificent servant to English cricket, he's also become a really good friend to me as well and he's someone I'll really miss if this is his last game.

"He was my first England captain, my first England opening partner, he stands next to me and bores the pants off me at slip - he's a great guy. Personally speaking I don't want to see him go because he's a great guy and I've learned a lot off him cricket-wise and he's also a great mate."

Australian coach John Buchanan gave an Australian perspective. "This series may be not absolutely the highlight of his career, but I think in Michael Atherton we have a man who embraces and embodies the whole spirit of English cricket. I guess Glenn [McGrath] and potentially Curtly Ambrose have been a bit of a thorn in the side of Atherton, but he's resilient, he's really been the face of the English spirit and I think he will be sorely missed."

Atheron's farewell was typically undemonstrative. No announcement before the game in order not to detract attention from the Test itself, and only a little wave of the bat as he made his way off the field for the final time betraying even a hint of sentimentality. An outpouring of emotion would have been uncharacteristic from the man who requested that there be no unseemly public collections during his benefit season.

What the future holds for Atherton is uncertain. He has never hidden his distaste for county cricket, and a coaching position is unlikely too, as he has disputed the usefulness of such a role. Offers from the press box will be plentiful, but he has hinted at a complete change of career, and certainly has the intelligence and contacts to reinvent himself in the style of another former England captain, Mike Brearley.

One thing is for sure; Atherton's retirement ends an era and leaves an enormous hole at the top of the England batting order.

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