Graham Onions

Born on 9th September 1982 in Gateshead, England, Graham Onions is an English cricketer who plays for Lancashire and England as a right arm fast-medium bowler and a right-hand tail-end batsman.

Known for his accuracy and a methodical pacer, Onions was a consistent performer for Durham before moving to the national squad.

Background

Having played his early cricket on the streets, Graham became part of Gateshead Fell Cricket Club.

Onion’s impressive performances were spotted by Durham's coach and at the age of 18, he eventually made his second XI debut for the club where he started in the team as the fourth bowler but later by 2006, Onions regularly opened the bowling for Durham.

Debut

Onions received his maiden international call-up for England National team on 3rd September 2006, being brought into the ODI squad to face Pakistan, following an injury to Darren Gough but he did not play.

For the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy, Onions was named in England's provisional 30-man squad after a successful season that year, and toured Bangladesh with the England A team.

In July 2007, Onions was also selected for the England Lions team to face the Indian tourists in a warm-up match. He justified his selection by taking 7 wickets in a one-day fixture against Maharashtra which is his best one day bowling figures to date.

Rise to Glory

Onions rose to glory and came into prominence in 2006, when he received a call from England's selectors to play against Pakistan. However, he was not a part of the playing 11.

However, In 2007, his performances in the domestic circuit were frequently overshadowed and he was often sidelined in the favour of his more successful counterpart.

Low Points

High on the positive beginning of his international career, Although he embarked on the Test leg of England's tour of Bangladesh in March 2010, Onions returned home with a back injury without playing a match which prevented Onions from playing cricket until 2011.

This back injury prevented him from playing most of the English cricket season. This career threatening injury put him on a long road to recovery as he underwent surgery on his left knee to repair cartilage.

He, however, failed to capitalize by displaying a disappointing warm up form during 2012-2013 India tour.

England's well balanced and fully resourced bowling attack made it difficult for Onions to ensure a fixed place in the team.

Records

Wisden Cricketers' Almanack named him as one of its five cricketers of the year for 2009.

In just 9 appearances, Onions took 32 test wickets at an average of about 30 which also jincludes a five-wicket haul. He represented his national side only 4 times in One Day Internationals and managed to take 4 wickets.