Durham's Graham Onions has set himself a summer target to land a place in the England Test side.

The 24-year-old paceman was left out of England's 15-man World Cup squad, and while the accolades have poured in for Durham team-mates Paul Collingwood and Liam Plunkett after their stirring performances in Australia, Onions has barely rated a mention.

He believes the time has come for him to join the party.

Onions, currently with the England A squad in Bangladesh, has set himself the objective of winning full Test honours against the West Indies or India.

Despite the competition for places - few would best against Plunkett adding to his six Test caps this summer - Onions feels he is getting closer.

He was named in England's provisional 30-man squad for last year's ICC Champions Trophy and called up as a late replacement for Darren Gough in England's one-day international squad against Pakistan in September.

"I know that the most important aspect of my bowling is to improve and learn new skills all of the time," he said.

"I have only played 28 first-class matches so I know that I have a lot to learn.

"When I get back to Durham I want to bowl more consistently in both four-day and one-day cricket.

"I have two aims really, which are to be economical and threatening. They are both big challenges and also my primary objectives.

"In Bangladesh, with the England A team, I am working on improving my momentum through the return crease, which will hopefully help me to generate more pace.

"I have set myself a realistic goal of taking over 50 Championship wickets again for Durham this season and at the same time to make sure that I don't concede more than three runs an over.

"If I can help Durham to win a trophy and break into the England Test or one-day international sides it would have to be a perfect summer for me."

Onions has made an impressive start on the A tour. He bowled 13 overs and took two for 54 in the first innings of the opening match against the Bangladesh National Academy and followed up with three for 30 in the second innings.

In the first Test against Bangladesh A at Mirpur he finished with two for 32 off 18 overs in the home team's first innings and grabbed two more wickets in the second.

Whilst many England bowlers, have often struggled to adapt to the slow, turning, sub-continent pitches Onions' ability to adapt to the same unfavourable conditions so quickly shows a maturity way beyond his years.

"I am pleased with the way I have been bowling so far but we have still got another Test match after this one, and three one-day internationals to play so it's early days," Onions said.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me to learn not only about ways to improve my game but also more about myself as a person.

"It's not easy bowling on slow, flat pitches, but I am learning about how to bowl maidens in these conditions.

"I'm also finding ways to create pressure on batsmen who are well set.

"I am also learning to bowl with different variations of a slower ball and reverse swing, which are essential skills against all batsmen. It's important for me to be an aggressive bowler and to make sure that I am 'at the batsman' in every game.

"The best way to do that is to hit the pitch hard and bowl with pace.

"At the same time I have not forgotten about my batting.

"I was ten not out in our first innings in the Test match so hopefully I will score a few more runs!"

Looking ahead to the new season, Onions is confident that Durham can improve on their third from bottom finish in the First Division of the County Championship and win promotion from the Second Division of the NatWest Pro40 competition at the first attempt.

"We have got a strong squad with lots of potential," Onions said. "There is no reason why we can't be promoted in the NatWest Pro40 and compete with the best sides in the County Championship.

"We must believe that we can win every game."