Cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew reports on Atherton's injury (5 Live)

The Lancashire opener is now a major doubt for the four-day match against Western Australia at the WACA starting on Saturday.

Atherton bruised his right hip when he was hit by a delivery during his superb 88, which earned him the man of the match award in the one-run victory against an ACB Chairman's XI on Thursday.

After net practice at the WACA on Friday the injury flared up and the former England captain may find discomfort in the field.

"It is pretty stiff in that hip area and we will look at that tomorrow" said coach David Lloyd. "It is probably just a bruise but it is a struggle running for him and a day on there has been a bit of a reaction to it.

"If he is fit, he is fit - he will only play if he is right. He can bat, there is no discomfort in that, and he will be able to bat on terrific net surfaces with plenty of people to bowl at him with other games coming up".

Stewart on the mend

If Atherton fails to make the side on Saturday Mark Butcher will be partnered by either John Crawley or Mark Ramprakash at the top of the order.

Lloyd said: "Crawley will probably be the favourite but we have picked 12 and we will be picking from that tomorrow."

Ben Hollioake sat out practise after suffering a groin injury in the game at Lilac Hill, while captain Alec Stewart took part in some light training after recovering from a stiff back.