He returned to competitive cricket that season, taking 50 wickets in the County Championship, and towards the end of the year was called up to England's Test squad.

Onions attended St Thomas More Catholic School in Blaydon, and at Gateshead leisure centre he took the opportunity to try a variety of sports.

After being spotted by Geoff Cook, Durham's coach, Onions made his second XI debut for the club at the age of 18.

He was offered a contract with the club and opted to become a professional cricketer rather than take a sports science choice at university, which was his other option.

[3] On 3 September 2006, he received his first England call-up, being brought into the ODI squad to face Pakistan, following an injury to Darren Gough.

[6] On 29 April 2009 Onions was named in the England squad for the upcoming Test series against West Indies, at the expense of his Durham team-mate Steve Harmison.

[10] In July 2009 he was named as part of the provisional sixteen man squad to face Australia in the Ashes, at the expense of his Durham team-mate Steve Harmison, however he was not selected for the first Test.

His bowling average for the series was in the 40s, but his batting twice helped England save a Test in a battling rearguard action on the fifth day.

"[14] 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.

[21] In August Onions was recalled to the England squad as cover for James Anderson for the final match of the four Test series against India.

[23][24] Though he did not play for England in the winter, Onions pressed his case for selection in April by taking his best bowling figures since 2009.

Playing against Middlesex in the County Championship, Onions claimed 6/45 in the first innings, passing 300 first-class wickets, and twice dismissed struggling England captain Andrew Strauss.

[25][26] England won the first two Test of the three-match series against the West Indies in June 2012, and for the final fixture front-line fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad were rested.

Fulfilling a pre-match arrangement, when it was determined he was not required by England, he made a 125-mile journey to join Durham's simultaneous County Championship fixture against Nottinghamshire.

Missing lunch on arrival and going straight into the action, Onions promptly recorded his career-best figures of 9 for 67 in Nottinghamshire's first innings.

[33] Onions describes his bowling as: I worked hard with Ottis [Gibson] in his England role to develop an inswinger.