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London: Graham Onions has been awarded an incremental contract by the ECB after reaching the required number of matches. In four Tests he has so far taken 17 wickets, including a haul of 4 for 58 on the second day against Australia at Edgbaston.
Andy Flower, the England coach, said Onions had been on the England selectors' radar for a few seasons. "He's always had a bit of nip about his bowling, just enough to rush good players," he said. "He's had a storming start to the season, so he's bang in form and very confident. You can see some of that confidence coming through."
He becomes the second player to be upgraded to the contract system following Dimitri Mascarenhas' elevation earlier this season.
"There is no doubt that Graham thoroughly deserves his increment contract," Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, said. "He has been a valuable contributor to the England set-up since making his debut earlier this summer."
Onions made his debut in the first Test against West Indies, at Lord's, where he made an immediate impression with he took 5 for 38 and finished with seven in the match. He followed that with three more on his home ground at Chester-le-Street.
Onions missed out on the first Test against Australia before being recalled to play at Lord's where he took three wickets in the first innings.
