He is the shock selection in England's First Test squad to face the West Indies next week. Durham quickie Graham Onions has been named in the twelve, and is almost certain to make his England debut after a false start on the 2006 ODI tour of Pakistan.

Today's Newcastle Herald (New South Wales, not Northumberland) is right on the ball in giving credit where it's due for Onions' success. The headline on the sports pages reads:

Stockton's Onions earns Test call-up

The Herald's Robert Dillon goes on to explain all:

"The uncapped Englishman spent the early part of this year in Newcastle, taking 11 wickets in two matches for Stockton at an average of 10.73."

The Durham county professional (whose first-class career bowling average currently stands at 32.88) did indeed play two matches for Stockton in the NDCA (Newcastle District Cricket Association) first grade comp in 2008-09, as The Herald extensively reported.

Let's hope Onions' fortunes are slightly better than those of Stockton's previous English import, Chris Lewis.