Back injury puts Onions out of opener

Graham Onions' back injury limited him to carrying the drinks in the warm-up match against Bangladesh A in Chittagong

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England bowler Graham Onions has been ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury.

The Durham paceman picked up the problem last week during net practice after joining up with the tourists ahead of the two-Test series.

There was encouraging news for fellow seamer Stuart Broad, who bowled 10 overs in the nets "without discomfort" in his back, an ECB spokesman confirmed today.

Broad will be assessed tomorrow morning to ensure there is no adverse reaction.

England’s pace options had already been depleted with James Anderson rested from the tour, to aid his recovery from a knee problem, and Ryan Sidebottom last week returning home due to a thigh injury.

Sidebottom was replaced by Tim Bresnan, already in Bangladesh with the one-day squad, while Steven Finn was flown out as cover.

The first Test, in Chittagong, begins on Friday and the second Test, in Mirpur, starts on March 20.