His rise to stardom has been a rapid one, but in an exclusive interview Graham Onions explains why it has left him feeling unfulfilled. Chief Sports Writer Luke Edwards reports

IN a world where everything seems to come at the touch of a button there is a tendency to forget good things come to those who wait.

Even those who have worked their way up slowly can be guilty of wanting too much too quickly, as Graham Onions has learned this winter.

In 12 short months, Onions has gone from a back-up bowler at Durham to frontline member of a new-look England seam attack, but it took years of hard work to get there.

At 27, Onions is no wide-eyed youth, all promise and potential. He has toiled for everything he achieved last year, grafting on the county circuit with Durham, fighting for a chance to shine in the formidable shadow of the imposing Steve Harmison.

He finally emerged last season, taking 23 wickets in Durham’s first four Championship games before making his England debut against West Indies at Lord’s.

Onions finished that match with seven wickets and 5-58 in the first innings, but ended the summer out of the England side which secured the return of the Ashes at the Oval with Harmison recalled.

It was a similar story in South Africa. Picked for the first three Tests with Harmison surprisingly left at home, Onions was dropped for the fourth and final Test. Despite twice helping England to salvage a draw with the bat, just eight wickets at an average of 45.75 where not enough to save him. In spite of everything he had achieved – he began 2009 playing grade cricket in Australia for Stockton in Newcastle, New South Wales – Onions was crushed.