Graham Onions calls time on career following back injury

The former England seamer and Durham's all-time first-class wicket-taker has been advised to retire on medical grounds

• EDWARDS: Youth is to all the glad season of life

Graham Onions has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 37.

The seamer has been advised to end his career on medical grounds after 17 years at the top.

Onions suffered a back injury before the start of the Bob Willis Trophy and has been unable to play this season.

He featured in nine Tests and four one-day internationals for England and was part of the 2009 Ashes success.

But it was in domestic cricket where 'Bunny' made his name, helping Durham to three County Championship titles during 15 years at Chester-le-Street where he became the club's all-time first-class wicket-taker after claiming 527 scalps.

He joined Lancashire in 2018 where he has taken 104 red-ball wickets, but injury has affected his recent progress.

pic.twitter.com/zzdT33hWew

— Graham Onions (@BunnyOnions) September 4, 2020

"This is not the way I wanted to bow out of the game, but I have to listen to the medical staff and have come to terms with the fact I am protecting my health and wellbeing in future years," said Onions, who took 874 wickets across all formats.

"I will be forever grateful to Dave Roberts, Sam Byrne, Tom Webster, and the rest of Lancashire’s medical team for their help, support, and professionalism over the last two-and-a-half seasons since I joined. They have been truly fantastic with me and I cannot thank them enough.

"Coaching has been an increasing passion of mine over the last few seasons and I am looking forward to exploring opportunities to pass on my knowledge and experience over the coming years. I have plenty left to give the game in an off-field capacity."

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