Michael Atherton underlined his great value to England's cause as West Indies reminded a sell-out Oval crowd of their determination to retain the Wisden Trophy with a late fightback on day one of the final Test.

On the day Atherton revealed his intention to retire after another Ashes series next year, he provided conclusive proof with a battling 83 of his enduring value to what is still an inconsistent England side.

His efforts helped England reach a commanding 159 without loss after being put into bat by the West Indies, and all the signs pointed towards the tourists capitulating to another heavy defeat as they had at Headingley.

Instead, the immense pride in their cricket after decades of dominance prompted a stirring response and by the close England had struggled to 221 for five to leave honours even as both sides chase victory.

Afterwards Atherton could not be specific about his future plans as he said: ''I say what I say to everybody, that I don't look too far ahead with the recent history of back trouble that I've had and clearly I'm not going to be around forever.

''I haven't given it too much thought. I have a year left on my Lancashire contract which takes me to the end of next season. I've not said I'm going to be quitting.

''I don't look beyond the next game because you never know what's going to happen. I'm not looking beyond that period.

''It's not a revelation. I've been saying it for quite a while. I'm still enjoying the cricket so I intend to play on for a while.''

Jimmy Adams had defied convention by becoming only the fourth overseas captain to ever put England into bat at The Oval a decision which looked as if it had backfired badly with Atherton and Marcus Trescothick forging a record England opening partnership on this ground.

Just as tea approached, though, Trescothick lost concentration and edged Nagamootoo to Sherwin Campbell at slip to become the first of four wickets to fall for 25 runs in 11 overs which allowed the West Indies a foothold back into the game.

The comeback was completed when Curtly Ambrose, playing his 98th and final Test, made amends for an uncharacteristically wayward new-ball spell by ending a promising Michael Vaughan innings rapping him on the pads as he offered no shot.

Trescothick had battled for nearly four hours at the crease with the tea interval in sight when he offered a tired-looking attempted cut as Nagamootoo dropped short. He succeeded only in edging to Campbell, who took a superb one-handed reaction catch at slip.

The players trooped off for the tea interval, but Nagamootoo resumed his over after the break to England captain Nasser Hussain a player desperately in need of runs after just 92 from eight Test innings this summer and only 41 championship runs for Essex. He lasted just two balls before lamely fending outside off-stump and edging behind to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs to dampen the spirits of a capacity crowd who had come hoping to see a repeat of England's Headingley rampage.

Instead, they watched a West Indies side visibly grow in self-belief and confidence, which soared even further when McLean nipped a full-length delivery back into Atherton and knocked back his middle stump after finding the gap between bat and pad.

Three balls later, Alec Stewart returned to the dressing room without scoring after offering no shot and being hit on the pads and Vaughan went in similar fashion for ten after shaping up well.

Graham Thorpe and Graeme Hick successfully negotiated the final seven overs but by then the West Indies had already ensured England will have to battle hard if they want to reclaim the Wisden Trophy for the first time in 13 series