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 stubborn 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.
To enquire about or book Mike Atherton for your event contact Arena Entertainment. Either send an email to info@arenaentertainments.co.uk or speak to one of our booking agents on 0113-239-2222.
