Graham Onions to miss Ashes Series
September 02, 2010 16:16:05 UK
England bowler Graham Onions will miss this winter's Ashes series in Australia after being unable to overcome a back injury.
The Durham player is due to have back surgery next week that will rule him out of action for up to nine months.
Onions has struggled with the stress fracture-related problem for much of this year and the England and Wales Cricket board described the surgery as a last resort.
The 27-year-old, one of Wisden's cricketers of the year for 2009, said: "Obviously I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period."
Betting for the series has England at 1.25 to repeat their 2009 victory, while Australia can be backed at 1213.00, with the draw currently 3.75.
Ahead of Monday's operation, the bowler said: "After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes-winning England team last year, I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia.
"Unfortunately, that's not to be and, even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left."
ECB chief medical officer Dr Nick Peirce added: "Graham has been suffering from ongoing discomfort due to stress fractures on both sides of his back.
"We have thoroughly exhausted all avenues of conservative treatment and rehabilitation, with surgery very much seen as a last resort.
"Unfortunately, Graham has not responded to these forms of treatment and, as a result, we have no option left but to undertake a course of treatment involving surgery.
"The surgery Graham faces is a relatively significant operation and his rehabilitation will see him ruled out of all cricket for approximately up to nine months.
"His rehabilitation will be overseen and carried out by the ECB medical team in conjunction with the medical staff at Durham."
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