It was a sweet and sour moment in Scarborough for Graham Onions as the Durham and England seamer created North-east cricketing history.
Onions’ success with the ball against Yorkshire meant he became only the third Durham bowler, after Steve Harmison and Simon Brown, to pass the milestone of 500 first class wickets.
But the celebrations were understandably somewhat muted as Durham lost to their northern rivals Yorkshire, with the Tykes now enjoying a commanding lead in the race for the LV County Championship.
Despite the loss, Onions was delighted to have passed 500 first class wickets for Durham and England.
Onions told www.durhamccc.co.uk “I am immensely proud even though I am not a massive stats man. I think I look back on my career and take great delight in the amount of games I’ve helped Durham win and the performances I have put in.
“I didn’t even know I was near 500. I genuinely didn’t. It got announced when I was coming off the field and that was the first time I knew. I got goose bumps when I heard and I felt on top of the world because I have been part of this club for so many years and it is a special season as it is my benefit year. To get 500 wickets is fantastic.
“There are a lot of ups and downs in cricket, but one of the funny things I noticed was that Steve Magoffin, who I have always admired as a brilliant bowler, got his 500th wicket on the same day. That actually made me feel really great and very proud.
“I think the bottom line is I have done it for Durham, a club which has been part of my life for so many years.”
Simon Brown, who played for Durham from 1991-2002 ended up with 550 first class wickets, while Harmison managed 730 in his long playing career.
Onions is part of coach Jon Lewis’ squad for the Royal London One-Day Cup clash against Derbyshire at the Emirates Durham ICG and if called upon, he cannot wait to try to lead the county back to Lord’s following last season’s success.
Onions said: “They are all big games at this time of the season. You look back now on the season and we have lost a few important matches in this competition but the truth of it now is we have to win, simple as that. We have got to turn up with a lot of intent and belief and keep our trophy.
“I am in the squad and although I haven’t played any white ball cricket this season if I do get the nod I will be very excited.”
Derbyshire have a strong one-day side and Onions says they will be formidable opponents at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Onions, who has a benefit year dinner with Ashes heroes Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson looming on September 25th at Dunston Federation’s Lancastrian Suite, said: “They have got some very decent performers and although they are a second division side in the county championship they have got a brilliant coach. They have some very good young players and while they haven’t maybe got as much strength in depth as we have, they remain a very powerful side.
“We have got to perform as well as we can and try and get ourselves over the line and into the knock-out stages.”