Onions plays down England claims

Onions' wickets against Hampshire has fuelled England speculation

Durham seamer Graham Onions has played down talk of selection for England's Ashes series, despite his six-wicket haul against Hampshire on Monday.

Onions, 26, impressed against the West Indies in May and is widely tipped to make Andy Flower's squad to face Australia later this summer.

"People keep saying 'You're going to be in the team'," he told BBC Newcastle.

"But I'm not in that team yet, there's a lot of work but if I keep getting six wickets then it's going to go well."

It has been a fairytale journey for Onions, who has gone from county hopeful to England hero in the space of a few seasons, and his aggressive bowling was a key factor in Durham's historic County Championship win last season.

The Gateshead-born medium-fast bowler has remained loyal to his county and is content to enjoy success with Durham, regardless of personal recognition.

"I'm keeping it simple, I enjoy putting the blue cap on with Durham badge on the front and 180 on the back," he said.

"It was great that I went away for England and played for a few weeks and that was something if I never do again I'm very proud of.

"Every time I put that Durham shirt on with Onions on the back it means a lot to me, I'm a local lad trying my best, and helping Durham to win the game means the world to me."