Gough out of NatWest Series

4 September 2006 | By Justin Goulding

Darren Gough will play no further part in the NatWest Series © Getty Images

England suffered another blow to their one-day plans when Darren Gough withdrew from the NatWest Series squad with a recurrence of a shin injury.

Uncapped Durham seamer Graham Onions has been called into the 15-man party as Gough's replacement for the remaining three games of the series.

Essex pace bowler Gough, 35, played in the Twenty20 defeat and the opening two one-day internationals against Pakistan, having been overlooked by the selectors for more than a year.

But after Gough complained of soreness in his left shin, an MRI scan revealed a bone stress reaction.

Dr Peter Gregory, the ECB’s chief medical officer, said: “Darren has been released from the NatWest Series following pain in the outer aspect of his left leg.

Gough revealed he has been troubled by a 'niggle' for the past month © Getty Images

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“Prior to the NatWest International Twenty20, he had rested for two weeks to settle mild bone bruising of the left shin.

“The pain from this had settled when he joined the England squad but has returned over the course of the past three matches.

“An MRI scan showed a marked bone stress reaction in his fibula and Darren has been advised to rest from bowling for six weeks.

“He will return to Essex to receive ongoing assessment and rehabilitation.”

Gough said: “I’m obviously extremely disappointed that this injury has ruled me out of the England side.

“I was looking forward to a strong NatWest Series which could have helped my chances for the upcoming winter tours.

“I’ve had a niggle for about a month which seemed to clear up with a couple of weeks rest before the NatWest Series but, unfortunately, it has returned to the point where I can’t go any further at the moment.

“I was pleased with the way I bowled without much luck during the first few matches so it’s disappointing I won’t be able to play any further part in this series.”

His absence gives 23-year-old Onions - named in England’s provisional 30-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy - a chance to make his mark at international level.

Onions has impressed for Durham this season, taking 47 wickets at an average of under 30 in the Liverpool Victoria County Championship First Division.

Martyn Moxon, Onions' coach at Durham, told ecb.co.uk: “He’s got good pace, he’s got a good seam position and he moves the ball both ways.

“We’ve not played him much in one-day cricket this year, but he’s bowled well for us in the championship.”

Onions will join up with the rest of the squad - already missing Steve Harmison due to a back injury - for the third match of the NatWest Series, which takes place under floodlights at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

England trail 1-0, having lost by seven wickets at Lord's on Saturday after the first game was abandoned.