Bears survive Onions burst

Graham Onions

England new boy Graham Onions celebrates one of his two wickets © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Graham Onions celebrated his England call-up with his first one-day wickets of the season but could not save Durham from a two-wicket defeat by Warwickshire in the NatWest Pro40 at Edgbaston.

Onions, who will link up with England's one-day squad on Monday as a replacement for the injured Darren Gough, was playing only his fourth one-day game of the season for Durham.

He claimed his first wicket in his second over when he had Navdeep Poonia taken at cover off a top-edged pull.

The 23-year-old seamer then had former England batsman Nick Knight caught at the wicket before he was withdrawn from the attack having conceded 38 in five overs.

Durham entrusted Australian Mick Lewis with the final over but Warwickshire captain Heath Streak squirted the first delivery for four to guide his side to a target of 214 and lift them out of the relegation zone.

Streak had pulled off-spinner Gary Scott for a six in the penultimate over and held his nerve to ensure Warwickshire ended a disappointing home one-day campaign - they lost nine of their 13 games in all competitions - on a high note.

Gary Scott

Durham's Gary Scott opens his shoulders during a fine 49-ball half-century © Getty Images

Buy this photo

Streak’s efforts meant Moeen Ali's superb 32-ball half-century was not wasted.

Ali hit Onions out of the attack and also plundered 16 off the first five balls bowled by former West Indies off-spinner Gareth Breese.

Ali completed his fifty with consecutive sixes off Breese, who took his revenge when Ali drove him to cover.

Warwickshire lost their impetus as Jonathan Trott spent 71 balls compiling 41 and defeat loomed until Streak launched his late assault.

Durham were indebted to two half-century partnerships which helped them reach 213, but the loss of their last six wickets for 19 in five overs proved costly.

Skipper Dale Benkenstein and Ben Harmison added 58 for the third wicket and Scott and Breese put on 65 in only eight overs for the fifth.

Scott and Breese took a liking to Alex Loudon and the England one-day international off-spinner was forced out of the attack after Breese pulled him for two sixes and Scott swept him for another.

But Durham folded quickly after Breese was run out taking three to Streak at third man.

Scott completed his half-century from 49 balls but was yorked next ball by Neil Carter, who quickly polished off the tail to finish with 4-39.

Start Playing

icon-40x40-cricket-50012

Want to start playing cricket - or re-kindle your playing days?

Video on ECBtv

icon-40x40-ecb-tv-50014

Get all the latest features, news and action

npower Ashes Series 2009

Icon 40x40 Npower Ashes

Only a year and the Aussies are here - here's all the info you need

Buy Tickets

Icon 40x40 Tickets

All the contact information and links to help you buy match tickets

Contact ECB

icon-40x40-ecb-logo-50013

Contact ECB by email, phone or fax - or feedback via ecb.co.uk

Find Fixtures

icon-40x40-calendar-50005

Want to watch some cricket? Find the matches you want to see

Use our RSS feeds

Icon 40x40 Rss

Get our news and scores feeds via RSS to your desktop or mobile

Blogs on ecb.co.uk

icon-40x40-blogs-50003

Enjoy our blogs, right across the cricketing spectrum, from players to volunteers

Official site of the England and Wales Cricket Board