Atherton could take over

MIKE ATHERTON is favourite to take over as England's captain at Lord's next week if Nasser Hussain fails to recover from his fourth broken bone in two years.

Hussain was consulting a specialist today after being hit on the left hand by a Jason Gillespie delivery two hours before Australia completed their innings and 118-run victory in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. England are clinging to the hope that Hussain's fractured little finger will not force the captain to miss Thursday week's second match at Lord's.

But if it does then they seem certain to try to persuade Atherton to take charge at Lord's more than three years after he walked away from the job.

Atherton set a record by captaining England in 52 Tests between 1993 to 1998 before quitting following a series defeat in West Indies.

Since then, the opener has shown no interest in leaving the ranks and he happily served under Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher when injuries sidelined Hussain in 1999 and 2000.

This time, though, the selectors are struggling for a viable alternative.

Stewart, 38, has more than enough on his plate with keeping wicket and trying to hold together a patched up middle order.

In addition, he captained England to seven straight defeats this summer - the Old Trafford Test against Pakistan plus six one-day internationals - while Hussain was recovering from a broken thumb.

Butcher can be discounted, having just returned to the team as a second choice replacement for Graham Thorpe. While Thorpe would be a candidate, the lefthander seems unlikely to be fit for Lord's because of his calf injury.

Australia will take advantage of their win by cheering on Patrick Rafter at Wimbledon today.

Copyright 2001
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