Mike Atherton is a broadcaster, journalist and former Cricketer, Captaining England in a record 54 Test matches.
Mike Atherton graduated from Cambridge University to England Captain via Lancashire County Cricket Club, accumulating 155 Test caps & 7728 runs in the process.
A respected right-handed opening batsman, he captained England on 54 occasions, being voted the Cricket Writers’ Cricketer of the Year in 1990 & named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1991.
Due to a degenerative back condition, Mike was forced into retirement in 2001. His career highlight was batting 643 minutes (the fourth longest in Test history) for 185 to deny South Africa a seemingly nailed on victory at Johannesburg in 1995-96.
Since his retirement from the game, Mike has built a successful career in the media including journalist for The Sunday Telegraph & also succeeded Christopher Martin-Jenkins as The Times cricket correspondent from May 2008.
Between 2002 & 2005, Mike was a member of the Channel 4 commentary team for the coverage of Test cricket in England. During this period he also worked as a commentator for BBC Radio & TalkSPORT on Test matches outside England.
In 2005 Sky Sports won the rights to broadcast live Test cricket in England & invited Mike to join their commentary team. He commentates on all forms of the game, home & abroad, as well as covering some domestic matches. He often performs as the post-match master of ceremonies for Internationals in England, presenting awards & interviewing players.
In 2002, Mike released his autobiography, Opening Up & has also written Gambling: A Story of Triumph & Disaster which was released in 2006.
March 2010 saw Mike win Sports Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards. The judges said this was a ‘unanimous choice’ & praised the former England cricket Captain for ‘tackling subjects way beyond cricket’ & said ‘the brilliance of his writing shines’.
Without doubt one of Britain’s most successful sportsmen, Mike is an ideal guest speaker relating the importance of team work, motivation & success.
How to hire Michael Atherton
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Michael Atherton for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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- 2010 - Sports Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards
- 2006 - Released 'Gambling: A Story of Triumph & Disaster'
- 2002 - Commentator for BBC Radio & TalkSPORT
- 2002 - Released his autobiography 'Opening Up'
- 2002 - Member of the Channel 4 commentary team
- 1991 - Named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year
- 1990 - Voted the Cricket Writers’ Cricketer of the Year
- Captained England in a record 54 Test matches
