Cricket: Atherton fishing but finding no compliments

Mike Atherton took time out yesterday as England recovered from their first Test torment in Auckland. The England captain spent the day fishing on Lake Taupo - a half-way stop on the journey from Auckland to here, where England are playing a four-day game against New Zealand A - and was no doubt trying to come to terms with the epic but frustrating last- wicket New Zealand stand that denied England what had looked like certain victory.

Atherton knows that questions are being asked about his continued ability to inspire his players, although his own return to form at Auckland with 83 in England's innings of 521 will do wonders for his spirits, mainly because Atherton is always happiest and most effective as a skipper when leading from the front with runs at the head of the order.

But the priority for Atherton this week is to get himself mentally refreshed in time for the next two Tests in Wellington and Christchurch. Atherton's opening partner, Nick Knight, spoke yesterday about the draining effect of the drawn first Test.

Knight said: "It was the most frustrating day I've ever known - and it was particularly draining for me because, as an opener, I kept on thinking about the target that we would have had to chase as the afternoon wore on. It looked like it was going to become another Bulawayo situation - a race against the clock - but in the end we just couldn't get that last wicket."

Meanwhile, the pressure continues to build on Atherton, with two former England captains leading the criticism of his leadership in Auckland.

Ray Illingworth, who worked with Atherton as the chairman of selectors, said: "He must take much of the blame for England's unbelievable failure.

"His lacklustre, unimaginative captaincy, along with some awful bowling, lay at the heart of another alarming tour debacle. It is a sadness to say so, having worked so hard with Mike over the past few years, but if this carries on there will be no alternative to replacing him as England captain.

"It was an incredible outcome and Atherton's own errors of judgement and leadership were vividly evident," Illingworth told the Express.

Bob Willis, a Sky TV pundit, was equally damning. He said: "Letting New Zealand off the hook like that was unforgivable. England should easily have been able to take that last wicket. There was a lot more that England could have done and the side should have been captained better by Atherton. He was found wanting.

"He should have attacked more. You've got to use your main strike bowler to best effect," Willis told the Daily Star.

The odds on Michael Atherton still being England captain for the Ashes series have lengthened, according to the bookmakers William Hill.

Atherton had been a 1-2 favourite to lead England against the Australians, but is now 4-6. The draw is the 10-11 favourite for the second Test against New Zealand, with England at 7-4 and the Kiwis at 10-3.

The next Test match is crucial for Atherton, according to a leading stress expert. "The team demonstrated they have the talent to beat New Zealand," said Professor Cary Cooper yesterday. "The game ended in a draw but England were the moral victors.

"Atherton now knows he must deliver in the next Test and if he can do that it will show the true character of the man. You have got to see obstacles as opportunities, that's the way Alex Ferguson operates very successfully at Manchester United.

"I still believe Atherton is up for the job as he is a battler. But the nation is demanding a victory and the pressure is mounting on him. He looked really distraught in the interview room after the game yet it was only a great defensive stand that denied England."

Professor Cooper, organisational psychologist at Manchester University of Science and Technology, added in regard to Atherton's fishing trip: "I think that is a positive sign. It is beneficial to take a break and I believe the results will come. Our tolerance levels in this country are very low when it comes to failure in sport or business.

"Our sporting teams tend to become a reflection of society. The British psyche is very interesting. We still have that colonial spirit and believe we are a leading player in the world. But lots of other countries are now more competitive.

"Perhaps we should develop Ireland's attitude. They have become quite successful at soccer, enjoying their victories but still trying to remain upbeat in defeat."