MIKE ATHERTON has missed out on the main prize this winter. But winning the World Cup - a realistic ambition would be handsome consolation.

England's captain quite properly put a Test series victory over South Africa at the top of his priority list. But even though that hope was ended by a crushing 10 wicket defeat at Newlands, Atherton is in confident enough mood to tackle the next challenge with optimism and enthusiasm.

Eleven months ago he was a sad, almost disillusioned figure after England's humiliating Ashes tour. Here, his disappointment is obvious. But, crucially, he doesn't feel let down by the vast majority of those people he helped to choose for his country's first Test series in South Africa since 1964.

"I think the selections we made in September were fine," said Atherton. "You can always look back and say maybe we should have brought him or him but I wouldn't envisage too many changes at all next summer. We didn't play consistently well enough. But I've been more than happy with the players' attitude and the effort they put in."

What does frustrate Atherton is that England's fourth consecutive overseas series defeat was inflicted by a team that could - and probably should - have been beaten. "South Africa make you work hard to score runs but I don't think they are the greatest bowling side" he said.

"I felt we could have beaten them. Unfortunately, too many people must look back on a fairly moderate tour."