Onions proud after dream debut for England

Updated on: 08 May,2009 08:43 AM IST |
AFP |

England quick Graham Onions said his five-wicket haul on his Test debut against the West Indies in the series opener here at Lord's was a reward for the hard work he'd put in during the off-season.

England quick Graham Onions said his five-wicket haul on his Test debut against the West Indies in the series opener here at Lord's was a reward for the hard work he'd put in during the off-season.

The 26-year-old Durham paceman enjoyed a dramatic start to his international career here on Thursday when,

after being dismissed for a duck, he took five wickets for 38 runs in 9.3 overs as West Indies were made to follow-on.

"It's been a day I'll never forget. It's a cliche but it is a dream come true," said Onions, who took three wickets in his sixth over to dismiss Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn.

Onions said of being left out of county champions Durham's title-clinching match away to Kent last season had spurred him into action.

"I've been through a lot of ups and downs. It hurt me when I didn't travel down to Kent when Durham won the Championship, I could have taken it one of two ways. I spent a lot of time in the gym and I felt fit and strong."

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