Graham Onions: Lancashire's ageless campaigner still leaving batsmen in a pickle

Last year, the seamer claimed 57 Specsavers County Championship wickets as Lancashire were relegated, the fourth best haul in Division One. This season, he has taken 13 in four appearances

The fact that Graham Onions is not quite the old man of Lancashire’s bowling attack is making Jimmy Anderson’s eyes water.

“I still can’t believe I’m older than him,” smiles Anderson before talking in a more serious tone about the immense value his fellow 36-year-old has brought to Lancashire since joining from Durham in September 2017.

“I think he’s the one who looks a lot older.”

Onions, only a couple of months younger than Anderson, is closing in on 700 career first-class wickets.

He is nine short at present with two more Specsavers County Championship fixtures scheduled before a reunion with home county Durham at Sedbergh School at the end of the month.

“Bunny’s a quality performer and a quality professional,” said Anderson, who was rested for this week’s rain-affected draw with Leicestershire at Liverpool after Onions had sat out last week’s draw with Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. 

“He sets a great example to the younger lads around the group and has been a really good signing so far. I’m sure he will prove to be a great one come the end of the season.

“He looks after himself, takes care of his body and is fit. 

“He’s lucky that he’s got a really repeatable action and rarely bowls bad balls. His pace is still decent. We’re absolutely delighted to have him.”

Onions was one of the first signings made by cricket director Paul Allott alongside another man from Durham, batsman Keaton Jennings.

^{Onions joined Lancashire from Durham in 2017.}

Last year, the seamer claimed 57 Specsavers County Championship wickets as Lancashire were relegated, the fourth best haul in Division One. This season, he has taken 13 in four appearances.

“Graham’s done really well,” said Allott. 

“When he was up at Durham, I think he thought that he may only have one year.

“We knew he was a bowler of quality, although with injury problems. But when you talk to him, one of the first things he’ll do is praise our medical and strength and conditioning staff. 

“They devise a programme that keeps him probably fitter than he’s ever been. 

“He’s going to keep bowling for us as long as you can, and we’re very happy to have him.

“He has an added string to his bow in that he’s a very well qualified coach and has been helping with our age-group boys and girls.  He’s certainly not just a bowler for us, but he is bowling well.”

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Onions has played down the importance of reaching the 700-mark.

“I think stats when you finish your career are things you look at more,” he said.

“I have a rough idea of where I am stats wise, but I don’t check after every single game. If you do that, you put yourself under unnecessary pressure.

“I probably did that when I was a young kid, and it probably made me bowl a bit wider to try and bowl maidens or even made me search for wickets.

“I decided as I got older not to think like that.”

Division Two leaders Lancashire face back-to-back away games during the next fortnight, starting with Worcestershire at New Road from Monday.

The Red Rose beat the Pears heavily at Emirates Old Trafford last month, so are going for the double against a team who were slated as pre-season favourites for a top-three finish and promotion.

Worcester did not play this week, while Lancashire have won three and draw two, they have won two and lost two of their first four matches.

Courtesy of the ECB Reporters Network.