Graham Onions could not have wished for a better start to his England career but, in an exclusive interview, the Durham fast bowler stresses that is all it was. Chief sports writer Luke Edwards reports
Onions’ breakthrough has been timed to perfection as we gear up for the biggest Test series in world cricket.
It is a mouth-watering prospect for a player who is at the perfect age to succeed, young enough to still improve with more experience, but old enough to cope with the pressure that comes with international cricket. "I think that is so important as a professional cricketer," he agrees. "I’ve had really good days in my career and I’ve had ordinary ones.
"I’ve also had days that have been extremely tough, but you have to be able to deal with whatever happens and keep coming back for more.
"I’m a lot stronger and the support I’ve had has been outstanding. Family and friends, the coaching staff with Durham and England, they’ve all been fantastic and none of this would have happened without them."
For now, the Ashes can wait and Onions has returned to Durham as the rest of the England squad prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup and the potential riches that come with it.
Onions would be lying if he said he was not envious, but the former Sir Thomas Moore pupil from Gateshead has not forgotten where he came from in the rush to be where he wants to go.
Like Harmison, Durham are something special to Onions and he wants to do everything he can to help their faltering Twenty20 campaign get back on track.
Geoff Cook’s side are fourth in the Northern Group with just two wins out of five and are already struggling to qualify for the knock-out phase.
Onions added: "I don’t want to be pigeon-holed as just a Test player. I want to be a cricketer who can play at the highest level in all forms of the game. I’ve got the chance to do that with Durham.
"I do enjoy playing Twenty20 cricket. I think everyone does because it’s exciting. I don’t think I bowl any differently to how I do in one-day or Test match cricket. I might use the slower ball more often, but it’s the same skills as a bowler which bring you success.
"I suppose the big difference is that you can bowl the same ball twice. On one occasion it will go for six, on the other it will get a wicket, but that’s just the nature of the game.
"As a bowler, you have to accept that could happen, but at the same time that’s the challenge. If you bowl well, you will take wickets and you won’t concede runs. The principles are the same, no matter what form of the game you’re playing."
