Graham Onions ruled out of first Test with Bangladesh
Graham Onions ruled out of first Test with Bangladesh
Wednesday, 10, Mar 2010 12:17
By Lewis Bazley.
A back injury will keep England seamer Graham Onions out of the tourists' first Test against Bangladesh this week, it has been confirmed.
The Durham bowler sustained the injury in net practice and will now miss the first Test in the two-match series, starting in Chittagong on Friday.
England's bowling attack could be further depleted if Stuart Broad fails to pass a fitness test on his own back injury on Wednesday.
The withdrawals open the door for a surprise debut for 20-year-old Middlesex bowler Steve Finn while Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan is also likely to be recalled to the Test side.
"Both Finn and Bresnan bowled very well in the first hour," Flower told the Daily Mirror after England's draw with Bangladesh A.
"They created a lot of pressure on a pitch that wasn't doing a lot which makes them strong contenders for the first Test. Steve was very impressive over the last three days because he got off the plane the afternoon before this game started."
England coach Andy Flower is also expected to name James Tredwell alongside Graeme Swann in a spin partnership for this week's Test. Flower is also yet to name who will open the batting alongside captain Alastair Cook, with Jonathan Trott and Michael Carberry both in the running.