Mike Atherton

We put your questions to cricketing legend and former England Skipper, Mike Atherton

1. Who are the two players that England cannot afford to lose (to injury or any other reason) if they are in with a chance of winning the Ashes and why?
- Jamie Young

Flintoff, Harmison and Vaughan are the most important players for England this summer. Flintoff because he provides the balance, Harmison the firepower and Vaughan the leadership. If England lose any of them, or if they are below their best, they will struggle to beat the Aussies.

2. When you were England skipper you had a fairly cool relationship with the media. Now you've retired and work in the media, do you have a different perspective on the media and cricket?
- Richard

In the sense that I feel that players should ignore what is said in the media then my attitude hasn't really changed. We media-types are simply middle men between the players and the supporters, trying to bring some colour/description to events. We are not that important. However, obviously I see things from a slightly different perspective now and would do things a little differently if I had the chance again.

Actually, I was remarkably co-operative (never turned down an interview etc) with the media but I admit that my image was atrocious. But it was a difficult time, with England relatively unsuccessful, no media relations manager etc, and things were just on a far less professional footing than now, and that made life tough.

The engraving on the Ashes urn reads: "In affectionate remembrance of English cricket which died at The Oval, 29th August, 1882. Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing friends and acquaintances, RIP. NB The body will be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia."

3. Jo'burg 95/96, Allan Donald... what were your thoughts the ball after you were given "not out" caught behind? And is that your most satisfying test innings?
- Tim

I think you are mixing up Jo'burg '95 and Trent Bridge '98. The caught behind decision came at Trent Bridge. Frankly I couldn't believe the umpire didn't give it out. Nor could Donald. I was almost embarrassed to not walk- but not that embarrassed! Jo'burg 1995 was certainly a highlight of my career- a kind of defining innings and one, I suspect, that I will be remembered for.

4. Mike, which would you say was the more humiliating defeat for this Australian side - Somerset or Bangladesh?
- Putters

Bangladesh definitely! The Somerset openers were Jayasuriya and Graeme Smith so I guess it was Somerset plus a bit of overseas talent. Bangladesh beating them was probably the biggest upset ever in cricket.

5. To what extent do you think England 's recent successes on the field are a product of the administrative set up we now have in English Cricket?
- Alex Booth

There are loads of reasons why England are more successful now. But I reckon you're right, the administrative changes have been the biggest factor.

Since 1877 there have been 306 test matches between England and Australia. Aus have won 125, Eng 95 and a further 86 matches have been drawn

Central contracts, the academy, taking players out of county cricket, the ability to rest fast bowlers and generally the recognition that the England team is the most important thing was crucial to the turn around in our fortunes. If Andrew Flintoff had been playing a decade earlier I don't think he would have prospered as an international player. Before central contracts successful players were successful in spite of the system. Now they are successful because of it.

6. Can you share with us any incidents where English players missed a curfew on an overseas tour?
- HT

Where should I start?! Robin Smith turned up late for a couple of warm up games in the West Indies in 1994 and Phil Tufnell spent the early part of the Australia tour a year later in a psychiatric ward! Actually, we never had a formal curfew - maybe that was the problem!

7. Would you pick Kevin Pietersen for the first Ashes Test?
- Jules

Yes. I think he's a must.

8. Will you be having any bets on the cricket this summer?
- John T.

I've already backed England at 6-1, so I might have to lay off soon! As for individual spreads: sell Trescothick, buy Vaughan, sell Flintoff, sell Hoggard, buy Harmison. Do all that and you'll probably end up in the poor house!

9. Do you think the Australian team has any weakness that England could exploit?
- Neil Dawkins

In England there have been some 146 Ashes Test matches, Aus have won 45, Eng have been victorious on 41 occasions with 60 draws

Australia are definitely looking their age. They have a very medium-pace attack without Brett Lee. Their fielding is moderate, relative to other Australian teams - they drop a lot of catches in the slips for example.

Possibly an Achilles heel is that they feel the need to be nice guys as well as winners - which you couldn't imagine under Steve Waugh. They are still a good team though and England will have to be at their very best to win.