Onions eyeing Champions Trophy after shock England call-up by AFP

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Event:

Pakistan in British Isles 2006

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DateLine: 5th September 2006

 

Durham bowler Graham Onions wants to force his way into England's Champions Trophy plans after earning a shock call-up into their one-day squad.

 

The 24-year-old seamer has replaced Darren Gough for the remainder of the limited over series with Pakistan after the veteran bowler was ruled out with shin problems.

 

No-one was more surprised at his elevation to the international ranks than Onions, who has been used sparingly by Durham in limited overs matches this year and has not taken any one-day wickets.

 

But England coach Duncan Fletcher has seen something in Onions and called him into the squad despite his lack of limited overs experience.

 

"It's unbelievable really," admitted Onions. "If someone had said at the start of the season that I'd be representing my country I would have laughed at them, but it's a great opportunity for me.

 

"I've always been desperate to play for my country and I've put a lot of hard work in the winter and it's paid off now - I just didn't think I'd get here as quickly as I have."

 

Should Onions impress this week he has a chance of being included in the 14-man squad for next month's Champions Trophy tournament in India.

 

That may come too soon, however, and more realistically he may be looking to get into England's plans for the one-day series in Australia early in the New Year, with the World Cup possibly to follow.

(Article: Copyright © 2006 AFP)