Atherton is all smiles after his 1995 effort

It was a seemingly lost cause for England to save the Test match, but Atherton endured a 645-minute examination to defy the best efforts of South Africa's bowlers.

His innings included 28 boundaries, and his unbroken 119-run sixth wicket stand with Jack Russell ensured England scraped to safety.

By all accounts, Atherton was so exhausted after his marathon effort that he spent almost all of the next day in bed.

94 not out & 118 v New Zealand, Christchurch 1997

Atherton carried his bat in the disappointing first innings effort of 228 to leave the tourists trailing New Zealand by 118 runs.

But after the bowlers got England back in the game to leave them needing 305 to win the Test and Atherton led the way with a match-winning century.

98 not out v South Africa, Trent Bridge, 1998

In one of the most fearsome displays of fast bowling seen on English soil, Allan Donald terrorised Atherton over the course of England's chase for 247.

Donald was riled after umpire Steve Dunne refused to give Atherton out caught behind and he peppered the opener with bouncers and short-pitched bowling, but Atherton stood firm to see the hosts to an eight-wicket win.

125 v Pakistan, Karachi, 2000

Atherton's first innings effort helped England get to within 17 runs of Pakistan's total.

It was another focused, determined innings, this time spanning 579 minutes in difficult conditions to set the match up for a thrilling England six-wicket victory.