Harmison can expect rivalry from Onions

10:45am Wednesday 16th April 2008

FOR much of the forthcoming cricket season, Durham's first team will resemble an England selection trial.

Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett and Phil Mustardare all desperate to force their way into the England Test squad for this summer's series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Yet for all that the trio will be pressing their international credentials in the early weeks of the campaign, they could easily find themselves eclipsed by one of their team-mates.

Graham Onions has still to make his senior England debut but, on the evidence of his performances in this winter's Lions tour of India and the pre-season curtain-raiser between Sussex and the MCC, the 25-year-old is threatening to overshadow his more celebrated county rivals.

Know your Onions? If he's not already aware of the Gatesheadborn seamer's strengths at the moment, England coach Peter Moores is not likely to be left in the dark for long.

"Steve wants to use Durham to try to get back into the England squad and he is a brilliant bowler, but I have the same ambition,"

said Onions, who took 45 wickets in his 14 first-class matches last season.

"I want to be the lead bowler for Durham and, hopefully, get into the England set-up. If I don't get the call this year, then I'll just keep working hard.

"I was selected for the MCC game against Sussex and that was great for me. I've spoken to a couple of the England selectors and I know they will be following my progress. But they don't want to put me under too much pressure.

I'm still learning my game, but I feel I'm a lot better cricketer this year than last."

That improvement is largely a result of Onions' packed winter schedule. He attended a twoweek England training camp in Loughborough before travelling to India for four more weeks of intensive practice.

That preceded England Lions' tour of India, in which Onions took a total of 18 wickets as England's second-string won four of their six matches.

"The Lions tour was really beneficial because we were playing in difficult conditions against high-class opposition," he said.

"There were Test match players on flat wickets.

"To do well out there was great for me because if you can do it there, you can do it anywhere. I came out pretty much on top every time I bowled."

The challenge now is to take that form into the county campaign.

Two years ago, Onions announced his arrival into Durham's first team with a stellar season that saw him break the 50-wicket barrier and earn a callup into England's 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy.

Last year's performances were not quite as impressive, although his appearances were limited as a result of Ottis Gibson's magnificent form.

With Gibson having departed to take on a full-time coaching role with England, Onions is one of a number of Durham pace bowlers charged with the task of replacing the 80 wickets the West Indian claimed last term.

Stepping into the shoes of one of Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year is no easy task, but it is a challenge Onions is relishing.

"Ottis has left a huge gap to fill," he admitted. "But if you don't look forward to challenges like that, you shouldn't be a professional sportsman.

"It's up to the likes of Liam and myself, as well as Steve who is going to be available at the start of the season, to step up.

"The good thing is that Ottis has passed on a wealth of experience to us all in the time we played together, and that will stand us in good stead. He took 80 wickets last season and he's going to be missed. He also hit some very valuable runs in the lower order, which is another gap to fill, but we've definitely got the talent and back-up to do that."

South African Neil McKenzie will arrive this week to bolster the batting ranks, and while last season was easily the most successful in Durham history, it could yet be topped this summer.

"There will be expectation on us from outside, but it's something you've got to thrive on as a player," said Onions.

"You want to be the best the whole time. Winning the trophy last year was unbelievable and we want to taste that a little bit more.

"It's not going to be on reputation, though. We're going to have to work for it this season, and I'm pretty sure we're going to have a good one."

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