Onions: "It's a dream come true"

Date released: 7 May 2009

After taking five wickets, Graham Onions described his Test debut as "a dream come true".

Onions has worked hard for his opportunity The Durham seamer said: "I hoped I'd be able to come into the team and do a good job, as I have done for Durham. I've given myself a pat on the back. It's a massive confidence boost.

"The lads have already got my name up on the board - 5-38 I think it was. It's a cliché, I know, but it is a dream come true.

"I was just trying so hard to get the first wicket. When I went for 15 in the first two overs, I thought 'It might be quite tough, this Test cricket.'"

"I can remember everything but it happened so quickly."

There were a few raised eyebrows at Lord's when England gave the new ball to spin bowler Graeme Swann but Onions said it was all part of England's plan, a plan that worked after England bowled the West Indies out for 152.

Graeme Swann: took the new ball "It was a bit of a plan [Swann taking the new ball] we just said to him 'don't scuff it up!'. He thinks he's a new ball bowler now.

"There's a lot of people in the changing room that need a pat on the back. Stuart Board bowling hard. Graeme Swann setting the tone with the bat.

"Everyone's been brilliant. The team ethic I've walked into has been absolutely fantastic. You could say there's a lot of love in the changing room.

Onions insisted he always knew his Test chance would come:

"I've worked very, very hard. I've been on a couple of Lions tours. Obviously it hurt me not to be selected.

"It hurt me when I didn't travel with Durham to Kent to win the Championship. I decided to really dig in. I put a lot of hard work in in the gym. I feel like a different player.

"It's going to be hard work [tomorrow] but that's Test Match cricket. I'm just enoying the moment. I keep saying it but it really is a dream come true."