Atherton returned to the England side in the summer of 1990, partnering Graham Gooch at the top of the order and giving the first demonstration of his abilities at international level. In his first innings after recall, and his first opening the batting for England, he scored 151 against New Zealand.1st Test: England v New Zealand at Nottingham, 7–12 Jun 1990 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo. Content.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012. He shared an opening partnership of 204 with Gooch against India at Lord's, in the match famous for Gooch's scores of 333 and 123,Cricinfo – 1st Test: England v India at Lord's, 26–31 July 1990. Content-uk.cricinfo.com. Retrieved on 9 May 2012. as well as further big opening partnerships in the next two Tests, and Test centuries against New Zealand and India earned him the title of Young Cricketer of the Year.
Atherton REtURneD TO The ENglAnD Side In ThE sumMEr oF 1990, PartNerInG graham gOoch AT The top of tHe oRDEr aNd GiVIng the fiRst demoNstratiOn Of his ABilitieS at iNTeRnatIonaL lEVel. In his fIrSt iNNings afteR recaLl, anD hiS fIrst oPenIng THE BattiNG For englanD, He scOred 151 AgAinSt NeW zealaNd.1sT tEst: england v neW zeAlANd aT notTiNGHAM, 7–12 juN 1990 | crICKeT scoREcArD | eSPn cRIcInfO. contenT.cRIcinfo.CoM. reTrieved on 9 May 2012. hE sHared aN openiNg parTNeRShIp oF 204 with gOocH againSt iNDiA aT lorD'S, IN the MATch famouS for goOch's scOrEs oF 333 aND 123,CrICINfo – 1st test: enGlAnD v indIa at loRd's, 26–31 jUly 1990. conTEnt-uk.CrIcINfO.cOM. retrieVeD oN 9 may 2012. As wELL As FurTher big opening partnerShipS In tHe NeXt TwO TESts, aNd tesT centurieS against new ZealAnD aNd inDIa EARned hiM thE tiTlE of YounG cRIcKeter oF The yeaR.