Stronger Onions overpowers West Indies

By Sonia Oxley

LONDON (Reuters) - England medium-fast bowler Graham Onions credited quality time in the gym last year while recovering from injury for his five-wicket haul in his test debut on Thursday.

The 26-year-old, chosen ahead of Durham team mate Steve Harmison who has been in steady decline since the 2005 Ashes series, became the first England player since James Anderson in 2003 to take five wickets on his test debut at Lord's.

His performance on the second day of the first test against West Indies justified the selectors' decision to look to county cricket for some new blood two months before the start of the Ashes series.

"Today I gave myself a pat on the back and I'm very proud of what I've done. It's a really good day for myself and a massive confidence boost," Onions, who took three wickets in one over to help skittle out the tourists 152 in their first innings, told a news conference.

The unassuming seamer from northeastern England said he had been a little in awe of some of his established team mates when he first arrived.

"It was quite strange when I first went into the changing rooms -- Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss -- I've got people in that changing room that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to play with," he said.

PINCH MYSELF

"It's a dream come true and I've got to pinch myself a few times. It's been a day I'll never forget."