Atherton's role discussed

ENGLAND captain Mike Atherton may be stripped of his responsibilities as an England selector this summer. But the newly reappointed England skipper will not be upset in fact, he reckons it would make his job easier.

Atherton has already had initial talks with chairman of selectors David Graveney about whether he should continue to sit on the selection panel under the reorganisation being carried out by the new England management committee.

Graveney said: "The management committee is meeting in a couple of days time to discuss this subject. But whatever is decided, the contribution of the captain to selection would not be diminished.

"The England captain would still have a big say in who was selected. I don't see there being any major difference whatever happens.

Atherton added: "Obviously this has yet to be decided but it's not a great issue as far as I am concerned.

"I've already bad a chat with David about it and, to be honest, if I am not a selector it would make my job as captain easier.

"It would make dealing with the players a lot more straightforward. For instance, last summer at The Oval we had to select our one-day side to play Pakistan while the final Test was going on.

"Several players were left out. Telling them that in the middle of a Test match was difficult."

Last summer, Atherton was one of five selectors - Ray Illingworth, Graveney, Graham Gooch and coach David Lloyd being the others.

This summer, after the reorganisation carried out by the England Cricket Board since January 1st, Graveney as new chairman is joined by Gooch and Mike Gatting as selectors.

If Atherton is not now included in the panel a fourth selector will possibly be chosen, especially as Gatting and Gooch's playing commitments with Middlesex and Essex respectively will not allow them the flexibility of being able to go and see a player at a moment's notice.

Graveney has already said he expects to clock up the miles this season.

Atherton was re-confirmed as England captain for this summer's six-Test Ashes series against Australia plus the three Texaco Trophy one-day internationals next month.

The 29-year-old Lancashire batsman has already captained England 40 times since his appointment in July 1993, and in June should pass Peter May's record England tally of 41 Tests as skipper.