NEWS
OPINION
GALLERY
STATISTICS
INTERVIEWS

Atherton backs out of England squad

Former England captain Mike Atherton was today ruled out of England's World Cup team after suffering a recurrence of a long-standing back injury, according to British media reports.

Atherton, who was named in the squad pending a fitness test, had been at England's training camp in Lahore, Pakistan, for less than 24 hours before ruling himself out.

Atherton told England's chairman of selectors David Graveney on Tuesday that he was not fit enough to continue after missing a training session for next week's Sharjah tournament.

He will return to England within days for treatment, while selectors meet urgently to name a replacement before the March 31 World Cup squad registration deadline.

England's team had arrived in Lahore for training ahead of next week's Sharjah Cup triangular tournament also involving India and Pakistan.

The 31-year-old opening batsman said he suffered a relapse in his back after a long plane journey and couldn't guarantee his fitness.

"I'm going to take time out to get fully fit before I play again, but I believe I will get fit and will play again,'' Atherton was quoted as saying.

Graveny said Atherton's desire to play for England was as strong as ever. "But as selectors we would need to be convinced over a long period of time that he is pain free, injury free.''

Atherton, a veteran of 88 Tests, had an injury-free career until he was ruled out of the one-off Test against Sri Lanka at the Oval in September. He subsequently missed the first and fifth Tests against Australia on England's Ashes tour.

Mark Ramprakash and Nasser Hussain have been touted as possible replacements for Atherton in the 15-man squad.

Graveney said he hoped to name a replacement within 36 hours and, if possible, the new player would link with the team in Sharjah for the three-nation tournament against India and Pakistan.

Atherton had completed a tour of South Africa with his county club Lancashire before flying from Cape Town to London and then to Lahore for the training camp.

England physiotherapist Wayne Morton said Atherton had been concerned about letting the team down if he pretended to be fit.

"We appreciate mike's honesty but we're very disappointed,'' Morton said.

Atherton was England's captain from 1993 until he resigned in 1998, although the Lancashire opener retained his place in the England team.

He has only appeared once for England in 28 limited-overs internationals since resigning as skipper.

AP