da bet sport： Just days after hinting that next summer’s Ashes series could be hislast International appearance, Atherton scored a century – his firstat London to receive a strong ovation from the Oval crowd today
da imperador bet： Staff and agencies03-Sep-2000Just days after hinting that next summer’s Ashes series could be hislast International appearance, Atherton scored a century – his firstat London to receive a strong ovation from the Oval crowd today.He scored 108 against the touring Caribbean to set up a winning targetof 373 runs for the tourists to retain the Wisden Trophy. West Indieshave little hope of winning as their previous best total to win a Testmatch was 348 for 5 against New Zealand at Auckland in 1969.West Indies ended the fourth day at 33 for no loss needing a further341 to prevent England’s wait of a series win over them since 1969.Earlier Atherton who resumed on 36 with England at 56 for 2, battedpatiently for about seven and half hours to score his century.”It didn’t come as a surprise to me because I don’t believe anybodyhas a right to a place unless he clearly deserves it – and at OldTrafford and Headingley I had struggled”, he said on the talk beforethe match that he may be omitted if England plays a spinner at theexpense of a batsman.England would have been struggling without his efforts. He followedhis first innings 83 with a watchful 108 in the second to beappreciated every bit by the crowd. England looking to bat Windies outof the contest, lost Thorpe (10) in the fourth over to Walsh. ThenStewart (25), Vaughan (9) and Hick (0) followed to make it 139 for 6.Craig White was run out by Griffith for 18 as McLean cleaned upCaddick (0) and Cork (26). Then Walsh dismissed Atherton for the lastwicket.The emotion of Atherton’s brilliant century still hanging in the air,the crowd rose again to salute the Curtly Ambrose as he walked off thepitch having bowling in a Test match for the final time, finishingwith 405 victims from his 98 appearances. Walsh who finished one shortof equalling Marshall’s record, was also applauded.But the day still belonged to Atherton and England.
