Onions Called Up As Tremlett Loses Fitness Battle

Onions Called Up As Tremlett Loses Fitness Battle

Graham Onions has been added to England's Test squad as cover for James Anderson

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Chris Tremlett has been ruled out of fourth and final Test against India at The Oval while Durham fast bowler Graham Onions has been called up to England's squad as cover for James Anderson.

Tremlett has been released from the squad due to the back injury he picked up earlier in the summer, forcing him to sit out the second and third Tests while Anderson has a thigh problem.

Onions last played a Test in January 2010, against South Africa, but spent the first part of this season as well as the end of last year out of the game with a back injury that required surgery.

He has since showed excellent form for Durham and now been rewarded with a call-up to England's squad.

"Unfortunately Chris Tremlett has failed a fitness test and won't be available for selection for the 4th npower Test, despite showing strong signs of recovery over the past few days," England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) national selector Geoff Miller said.
 
"Chris's absence in conjunction with what appears to be a minor injury concern with Jimmy Anderson has led to a call up for Graham Onions as precautionary bowling cover. We are hopeful that Jimmy will overcome this niggle by Thursday but more time is required before a decision on his availability can be made conclusively.

"Steven Finn is obviously in the squad and he is now joined by Graham Onions who has been in good form for Durham since returning from a back injury at the start of the season."

England Test squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Steven Finn, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matthew Prior, Graeme Swann

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