Onions can’t wait (From The Northern Echo)

Onions can’t wait

9:12am Monday 6th July 2009 in

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GRAHAM Onions could barely contain his excitement after being named in the squad for the first Test against Australia this week.

Onions, who made his debut in the series against the West Indies this summer, retained his place for Wednesday’s Ashes opener in Cardiff.

The 26-year-old beat off competition from his Durham team-mate Steve Harmison, who like himself also impressed in a warm-up match for England Lions against Australia this week.

Onions said: ‘‘It’s absolutely unbelievable. I feel I have learned a lot from the two games I have played and the Lions game just gone.

‘‘It shows the hard work does pay off. It’s quite hard to think from last winter that I’m in the squad and I just can’t wait.’’ Onions admits his confidence is high after a strong start to the summer.

He added: ‘‘I feel everything is clicking. I’m pitching the ball up and doing a lot more with it.

‘‘The work which I have done in the winter has paid off. I feel fit and strong and when you get wickets your confidence is sky high. I’ll be taking that into the game.’’ Onions also paid tribute to Harmison.

The pair may have been rivals for a place in the squad but Onions still views him as a great inspiration and a good friend to whom he can turn for advice.

‘‘I can’t speak highly enough of Steve Harmison,’’ Onions said. “He has helped me so much in my career and now I have been selected in that Test squad I have got to make the most of it.’’