England might switch on Mike

The conditions are perfect for Atherton. The captaincy is an interim appointment, he’s in better form than the batsmen in England’s current lineup, and the Test is at Old Trafford, his county ground.

The English batting lineup — that’s 22 batsmen — scored 415 runs in two innings against New Zealand at Lord’s. At the same time, Atherton scored almost 400 runs for Lancashire, including an unbeaten 268 and an unbeaten 95.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney said if Atherton were brought back into the England squad for the third Test, and if Hussain can’t play, Atherton would “obviously be a very strong candidate to take charge.”

“We allknow about Michael’s batting,” Graveney was quoted as saying in today’s Daily Mirror newspaper. “We hear, too, that the New Zealanders are happy he has not played in the series so far.”

The 32-year-old opener surrendered the England captaincy to Alec Stewart before last season so he could concentrate on his batting.

Stewart subsequently guided England to a come-from-behind 2-1 Test series win over South Africa in England last season but then lost the Ashes series to Australia.

He was fired following England’s World Cup debacle, when the hosts were eliminated in the first round.

Hussain was installed, reportedly heralding a new era in English cricket, and his term started with a seven-wicket win over the Kiwis in the opening Test at Edgbaston.

But the revamped England lineup failed dismally at the headquarters of cricket, sparking new calls for change. The main question is over who should fill in as captain while Hussain recovers from a broken finger.

Atherton, who pulled out of the WorldCup squad with a recurring back injury and was ordered to get fit and prove himself in England’s county competition, is the ideal stopgap.

Stewart retained his place in the team but is an unlikely choice due to his age and his recent stint in charge.

Graham Thorpe deputised for Hussain at Lord’s but his batting let him down, while another candidate, Mark Butcher, hasn’t scored a decent total since his century against Australia in Brisbane last year.

Graveney said England’s continual batting failures was a major concern for selectors.

“The batting is something we obviously have to look at very closely — the word hemorrhaging comes to mind,” he said.

Graveney, who will join Hussain and the England panel for a selection meeting on Saturday, said he would give Hussain the maximum time possible to prove his fitness before the third Test starting on August 5.