Atherton to decide England future at end of season

England batsman Michael Atherton will make a decision about his international future at the end of the season, he has confirmed in the Sunday Telegraph.

"... when I say I will make a decision at the end of the season, then I will be true to my word," he wrote in his column.

"I believe that, while you are under contract to the England team, you see that contract through and then -- only then -- if there are any decisions to be made, you make them."

There had been speculation in the weekend press that Atherton might announce his retirement as early as Sunday.

But the 33-year-old opener stuck by his long-held position that he would "see how this year went and then see how I felt".

He did stress, however, that the end of this season marks what he called "a natural watershed" and confirmed that he is unlikely to face Australia again after the current tour.

England are currently playing Australia in the fourth test of a five-match Ashes series. Australia lead 3-0.

Atherton said international cricket demands "absolute commitment" and he must decide if he is still hungry enough.

COMPETITIVE INSTINCT

"...if I were to be available to tour this winter, it would be for both tours and again it would be a long commitment. I need to ask myself whether I still have the drive and whether the competitive instinct remains as strong as ever."

England are due to play three-test tours against India starting in November and New Zealand beginning next February.

"These decisions, I believe, can only be made with a clear head and certainly not in the middle of two very important test matches," said Atherton, referring to the Ashes series.

The Lancashire batsman also said he would have to consider other factors, such as his fitness, before making a final decision on whether to retire from international cricket.

"There are other considerations for me too: it is no secret that I have had some fitness problems with my back and I need to see how that is shaping up at the end of this year. The time for cortisone injections is near an end."

There have been suggestions that the England selectors want Atherton to reveal his winter plans before the end of the fourth test against Australia. But Atherton dismissed the idea that delaying a decision about his future is creating problems.

"...the selectors know which way I am leaning and it is always their prerogative to select the side as and how they see fit," he said, adding that the timing of his retirement is the most important decision he will have to make.

"Once made, there is no going back and therefore I intend to give myself a little time to make the right choice."

Atherton, who has captained England a record 54 times, made his international debut in 1989.

Mail Cricket Editor