Where is graham onions

Intimations were that his pace was slightly reduced and that he prospered on responsive Riverside pitches. Nobody was presented more often as an example of England's alleged lack of regard for achievements in the county game. That back injury was serious enough for him to fear he might never play again. He needed extensive surgery and privately feared that his career might be over as he was kept out action for a season.

A five-inch titanium pin was inserted in the left side of his back to heal and prevent a recurring stress fracture - "imagine a broken polo mint that is starting to crack" is how Onions explained it - and a long period of rehabilitation began. He considered retraining as an umpire, a coach or even leaving the game and becoming a teacher.

But he fought his way back, firstly with Durham and then, after a month absence from international cricket, for England against West Indies at Edgbaston - after a long road to recovery. He first caught the eye during the season and did enough to earn a place in England's provisional man squad for the Champions Trophy, but it wasn't until that he secured his Test debut.

He was called up to replace Darren Gough in England's one-day squad against Pakistan in September and that winter toured Bangladesh with England A. The season was more of a struggle as Ottis Gibson's outstanding form often forced him out of the side, but he still spent the following winter with the England Lions where his game continued to develop. As Durham claimed their maiden Championship title in , Onions spent most of the season laid up with a string of injuries, and when he was fit couldn't force his way back into a strong line-up.

No honours followed that winter, but hard work on his fitness paid off at the start of the following season when strong form was rewarded with a call-up to the squad to face West Indies.

Then, as if making up for lost time, he hurtled onto the honours board with debut figures of 5 for 38, including a sensational spell of four wickets in seven balls. He subsequently played an important role in England's successful Ashes campaign, including a memorable double strike from the first two deliveries of day two of the third Test at Edgbaston. His stature grew during England's tour to South Africa after the Ashes, where it was not just his wicket-to-wicket seam bowling that made an impact.

He could almost lay claim to the Man-of-the-Series award as he twice held firm with the bat to salvage a draw for his side from the brink of defeat. In the first Test at Centurion, England were nine down when Onions came out to join Durham team-mate Paul Collingwood with 19 balls remaining.

He repelled 12 deliveries to ensure England remained level and then, in the third Test at Cape Town did it all again. England had once again collapsed and it was left to Onions to withstand 11 deliveries, including a hostile final over from Morne Morkel, to defy South Africa once more. The following week he was controversially omitted for the final Test and although he began the subsequent tour of Bangladesh, he soon flew home.

It was the start of his biggest fight yet as injury soon struck. Onions made his return to the international fold, claiming 4 for 88 in the rain-affected draw against West Indies at Edgbaston in the in June It was his only England action of the summer, although his form for Durham was outstanding. He took 64 Championship wickets at He was chosen for the England squads that toured India and New Zealand in the winter programme.

Durham's title success in was built on his foundations. No one took more wickets, no one who took more than 20 wickets did so at a lower average, and no one took more five-wicket hauls. But he was still shunned by England, who misguidedly took a trio of giant fast bowlers to Australia instead.

His only failing, it seemed, came when he was pitted against the England tape measure. When injury disrupted his season, at 31 his chances of an England recall were slim but he still carried a heavy Durham workload uncomplainingly. Surprisingly, he broke links with Durham in , rejecting a two-year contract at Durham where the second year depended on him remaining injury free and joining Lancashire where he could also contemplate more coaching opportunities. Former seamer forced to retire through injury last summer but has made a swift return to the game.

Former England seamer was forced into retirement by injury last summer. Lancashire bowler has taken medical advice to bring his playing career to a close. Matches Hobart Hurricanes Women. Adelaide Strikers Women. Schedule Points Table Videos.

Schedule Points Table Report. In my mind, that was when I believed I was good enough to do it. Four Tests later, however, a serious back problem in threatened to end his career in its prime. And after a two-year absence, he returned to the fold in , taking four wickets against West Indies. That Test represented a career-high — vindication for putting himself through a physical and emotional recovery battle, emerging from it still with the drive to go again.

In the aftermath to the injury, he lost the central contract he had worked so hard to earn only 12 months earlier. His thoughts shifted to his parents, who had been so supportive when he first told them of his wish to pursue a cricket career, and the burden he felt to repay that initial loyalty.

His international renaissance, therefore, came with added significance — a knowledge that he had rescaled his pinnacle after a heavy, career-threatening plunge into a bleak, different reality. He missed the season in its entirety, with days between first-class deliveries and 28 months separating England appearances against South Africa and West Indies.

Unfortunately, I never played again after that. All this time later, it feels as though a smidgeon of irritation lingers, even if he insists there are no regrets at the end of a year career.

Looking back, it seems almost unfathomable that his international career spanned just three years and 13 matches — not simply on account of his own quality, but also because so much seemed to involve him in that short stint. No chance. I was very lucky to play nine. Onions and Graeme Swann celebrate after clinching a draw in the final Test of the series against South Africa.

Much of that pride stems from a northeast beginning. It is three years since he last represented his home county, but none of his passion for the region has diminished. Three County Championship titles and a pair of over trophies, to be exact. But what was it about that Durham side, a team constructed on a diet of prodigious, local talent and a dash of overseas knowhow, that morphed into such a formidable machine?

Plus, we had Geoff Cook, who is Mr Durham. But you had people around you and your friends, who could reassure you. You learn a lot from that. We went from not expecting to win to thinking we could win all the time.

Honestly, that dressing room was so good, so enjoyable to be around. Lancashire's director of cricket, Paul Allott, added: "It's a sad day when anyone has to retire from professional sport and even more so when it is effectively taken out of their control.

Graham Onions has retired from cricket due to a back injury. Onions in action for Lancashire at Old Trafford. Live cricket on Sky. Hamilton under Brazil investigation for Merc infringement.