Onions gets a reward (From The Northern Echo)

Onions gets a reward

9:20am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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DURHAM paceman Graham Onions and Yorkshire allrounder Tim Bresnan have been added to England’s performance squad.

The pair impressed against West Indies earlier this summer and Onions was named in the squad to face Australia in the first Test starting today.

Selector Geoff Miller said: ‘‘Graham and Tim have played important roles during the early part of the international programme and thoroughly deserve their places in the England performance squad.’’ The original 25-man list, announced in April, has now swollen to 26 following the duo’s addition and the retirement of former captain Michael Vaughan.

Hampshire all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas, already a performance-squad member, has been handed an increment contract.

He is the first player to earn one after reaching 20 points in a system operated by the England and Wales Cricket Board whereby a player earns two points for a one-day or Twenty20 international and five for a Test.

Miller added: ‘‘Dimi just missed out on an increment contract at the start of the contract year but has now earned his contract through his major contribution to England’s ODI and T20 Team in the West Indies and during the first half of the summer.’’ Seven other players, including Matt Prior, Graeme Swann and Ravi Bopara, are on increment contracts.