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M.A. Atherton

127

M.A. Atherton 127 v West IndiesBack to boards

Michael Atherton was renowned during his career for not being able to make it on to the Lord’s Test Honours Boards, but when the Limited Overs Honours were introduced in 2019, his name was forever installed in the Home of Cricket’s folklore.

Having achieved seven Test half centuries at Lord’s - including famously a score of 99 against Australia in 1993 - Atherton’s sole international century at the Ground came in 1995 during a 73-run victory over West Indies.

With the ODI series poised at 1-1, Atherton as captain, lost the toss with England having to bat first as a consequence in the deciding match.

However, as opener, Atherton led by example, hitting a superb 127 off 160 balls in an innings that included 14 fours and one six.

To highlight the importance and the individual quality of Atherton’s innings, no other England player could make it past 29, as the hosts finished their total on a score of 267/7 after 55 overs.

In response, three wickets each from Angus Fraser and Dominic Cork helped bowl West Indies out for a score of 203 as England sealed victory in the match and the series, with Atherton named man-of-the-match.