Onions delighted to reach 600-wicket milestone

Graham Onions was thrilled to reach 600 first-class wickets as Durham took full control of the Championship match against Derbyshire at Chester-le-Street yesterday.

Onions, who will be 35 in two weeks’ time, said: “I’m not a massive fan of milestones, but it’s a proud moment to get to 600. I had no idea how close I was so it was a surprise when I saw it go up on the board.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and I missed 18 months after my back operation when I thought I might not play again.

“They were good conditions to bowl in. Chris Rushworth and I were a fraction short to start with but once we found our rhythm we backed up an amazing batting performance.”

Onions took advantage of some limp Derbyshire batting to grab the four scalps which took him to the milestone.

The visitors were all out for 164 in reply to Durham’s 480-9 declared, before the umpires ruled the light was too poor to resume.

Durham’s total featured 177 from Paul Collingwood and 53 not out from Matthew Potts, whose five previous first-class innings had yielded three ducks, a two and 14 not out.

After resuming on 12, Collingwood batted relentlessly to his third highest championship score, the two higher ones both coming in 2005. His best score remains 206 for England at Adelaide in 2006.

The 41-year-old pulled Hardus Viljoen for his only six before hooking the next ball straight to long leg.

Onions and Rushworth did not have much joy initially. Despite regularly beating left-handed openers Ben Slater and Luis Reece, it was the 12th over before the latter edged Onions to Michael Richardson.

Billy Godleman made two before groping forward to a ball from Rushworth which took out his off stump and Derbyshire were 41 for three when Paul Coughlin splattered Madsen’s timber.

Onions returned to remove Slater for 29 and Palladino with the help of sharp catches by Tom Latham at second slip. He also had Viljoen caught behind.

Rushworth pinned Matt Critchley lbw for 12 and there were also two wickets for Keaton Jennings.