Mike Atherton ended mounting speculation about his future yesterday by announcing that he will stay on as England captain despite the failure to win the Ashes.

Officials at Lord's confirmed that 29-year-old Atherton, who has won 12 but lost 16 of his record-breaking 46 Tests as skipper, will stay on for England's winter tour to the West Indies.

But he will not skipper England's one-day international side in a pre-Christmas tournament in Sharjah or in the one-day series against the West Indies which follows the Test matches.

Atherton, renowned for his qualities of stubbornness and endurance, has spent five days pondering his future since last Saturday's victory against Australia at The Oval.

He had made it known during the sixth Test that he is worried about his batting form - he made just 257 runs at an average of 23 against Australia.

England's hierarchy - especially chairman of selectors David Graveney, coach David Lloyd and selector Mike Gatting - have led the calls for the Lancashire opener to stay on.

In June, at Lord's, he passed Peter May's previous record tally of 41 Tests as England captain - but he was deflated by the 3-2 series defeat by the Australians. He wanted a week off from cricket, following the Oval victory, to clear his mind.

Graveney's selection panel are due to meet in Birmingham tomorrow to start their discussions about winter tour selection - and they wanted to know Atherton's decision before then. Atherton commented: "I am very pleased to have been asked to continue as captain. I am very happy to accept the selectors' offer. The job of England captain is not one to be undertaken lightly, which is why I wanted to give the matter some serious thought earlier this week, and I am grateful to the selectors for their patience.

"I am fully committed to leading the side in the West Indies and I am looking forward to the new challenges which lie ahead."