GRAHAM Onions has been called into the England cricket squad after Tim Bresnan was ruled out of the Test series with Pakistan through injury.
All-rounder Bresnan missed the warm-up game against an International Cricket Council Combined XI in Dubai because his recovery from an elbow operation was taking longer than expected.
After trying a few deliveries during the warm-up for yesterday’s final day, it was decided to rule him out of the three-Test series, which starts a week today.
With concerns over Bresnan and Chris Tremlett, Durham fast bowler Onions had travelled with the squad as cover. Now he has been officially added to it.
“Bresnan tried to bowl, having had an injection and a good rest,” explained England captain Andrew Strauss.
“I think we were all expecting him to be absolutely fine. But it’s very painful – and given that, he’s probably not going to be able to play for two or three weeks.
“That means he’s unable to play any part in the Test series, so he’s flying home.”
Having been considered too senior a player for the England Lions’ winter programme, which club-mate Scott Borthwick is part of, it had looked as if 29-year-old Onions might spend his off-season travelling the world as a net bowler.
That could still be the case, but this is another promising step forward in a career which could have been over by now.
Onions suffered a stress fracture of the back after his last international appearance, in South Africa in 2010. He made his comeback in Durham’s County Championship at Yorkshire in April 2011.
His first-innings 5-53 bowled at good pace pointed to a successful recovery, and he went on to be the only Durham bowler to 50 Championship wickets in the season (plus a further 14 in limited-overs games).
Onions’ initial reward was to be called up for last summer’s fourth Test against India, and for a one-off one-day international in Ireland. He did not play on either occasion.
Now, though, the Three Lions are having to rethink their plans, with injuries starting to mount.
England had been planning to give Bresnan the new ball, and his batting would have lengthened their order.
“We’re all gutted for him, because it’s come from left-field,” said Strauss, a former Durham University captain. “It’s surprised him and us.” Graeme Swann was sent to hospital after England secured a three-wicket win yesterday because of tightness in a leg muscle.
The spinner did not field on the final day, although he still managed to pull the winning run from the only ball he faced.
He has been sent for a precautionary scan, though England are optimistic.
Chris Tremlett saw a doctor last night about the eye infection which kept him out of the ICC game.
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior is expected to play against a PCB XI tomorrow.
He missed the opening warm-up game, at the same venue, with a bruised ring finger on his left hand. Onions has played eight Tests for England, taking 28 wickets at 31.03, and was part of the 2009 Ashes-winning squad.
He has also played four one-day internationals.
Bresnan is hoping to take part in the four-match one-day series, starting on February 13.
“I’m obviously gutted not to have an opportunity to play in the Test series but I knew looking at my rehabilitation programme it was always going to be touch and go to get me ready for the series,” he said.
“I want to wish the squad all very best and the priority for me now is to get myself ready for the one-day series in February.”
