GRAHAM Onions will line up alongside Durham team-mate Steve Harmison in today's traditional curtain-raiser between the MCC and champions Sussex, and the youngster is determined to repeat the experience in a Test match this summer.

Onions cemented his status as one of the most promising fast bowlers in the country by taking eight wickets in England A's two unofficial Test matches in Bangladesh last winter.

The 24-year-old was called into England's full one-day squad as a replacement for Darren Gough last September and, as he prepares to feature at Lord's this morning, he has already begun to eye another international call-up later this season.

"I'd be a fool not to aim to break into the England set-up," said Onions, who boasts 75 wickets from his 30 first-class games. "I performed well for the A team over the winter and got selected for the MCC game, so that's good recognition for me.

"I have to clear the England thing out of my mind a little bit, though, even though it's my main goal."

Last year Onions' fine form was a key factor in Durham's survival in the top-flight of the County Championship and now the Gateshead-born paceman admits the key challenge is to prove his successful season was not a flash in the pan.

"I'm looking forward to another successful year," he said. "I have to prove to people that last year wasn't luck.

"They always say bowlers get picked on potential if they can bowl fast and pick up a lot of wickets in the County Championship. People come to watch matches all the time, so they've obviously spotted potential in me.

"I think I'm improving all the time. I really enjoyed the experience of being with the England Academy and learning from the best.

"I worked on a few technical things like my approach to the crease, my run-up and a lot of mental things just to give me the right frame of mind to perform at the highest level."

Onions will be part of a strong MCC side that also includes Test regulars Matthew Hoggard and Alastair Cook.

Harmison's involvement marks his first senior appearance since the ill-fated Ashes tour but the 28-year-old is determined to regain his position as the foremost fast bowler in the world.

"It's not the first bad time in my career, or the first brick wall in front of me," he said.

"I've had a lot of things thrown at me in ten years and I've come back stronger so far. It makes you a better person and a better sportsman.

"I never fell out of love with cricket, and I'm fully confident I will be back here at Lord's for the first Test of the summer."