Former England captain Michael Atherton has backed Mark Butcher to be the next captain of the national team. The present incumbent, Nasser Hussain, recently indicated that he intends to stay in the job for another year.

Although Marcus Trescothick, 26, the current vice-captain, and Michael Vaughan, 27, have both been mentioned as likely candidates, Atherton believes they should extend their success as England's opening batsmen while Butcher, 30, takes the reins.

"It looks like it is out of those three and I think the bookies' favourite is Trescothick. My own personal choice would be Mark Butcher, I just think he has got a good cricket brain," said Atherton.

The Surrey left-hander made a successful return to international cricket against Australia last summer, crowned by his memorable, match-winning 173 not out against Australia at Headingley. He currently averages 32.87 in Tests.

"He's in prime form, old enough to have seen some of the vagaries of the game and experienced some of the ups and downs," Atherton told a Sports Writers' Association lunch in central London. "I would like Trescothick and Vaughan to flourish at the top of the order. They should be left to concentrate on that."

"Butch has been through a bad run of form and left out of the team, he's seen things outside of the game which have affected his life and he's come through."

Atherton also believes that if Graham Thorpe is fit, focused and available, he should be included in the squad for this winter's Ashes series in Australia. Thorpe, 33, is taking a break from all cricket to spend more time with his young children, but has been asked to tell the selectors whether he is available for the Australian tour this week.

"He is still the best player in the team and the one the Australians rate the most," said Atherton. "They think of him as being our only world-class player. If he is fit and half-focused he is not right, I think you take him if he is fully focused. If Graham is fit he is an automatic pick for the selectors."

Of Darren Gough, who is aiming to prove his complete recovery from a troublesome knee injury, Atherton said: "If he is anywhere near fit they can take him and rely on back-up from the academy. It will be good for him if he can get fully fit over the next month and I think the selectors will take a risk on him."

Although England lost 4-1 last summer when injuries undermined their challenge, Atherton believes their chances this winter are better.

"I think we will do rather better than people expect, I've played under Duncan Fletcher and been very impressed by what he has done as coach. The team is definitely moving in the right direction."

Fletcher will begin talks about a new contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board next Monday.

"I hold him in the highest regard and I hope the ECB can capture his services for the foreseeable future," said Atherton. "They should go with what Duncan Fletcher wants because he's an extremely clear-sighted coach with a long-term vision. I think they should give him his hand and let him do what he wants, I am very impressed by his handling of the team."

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