The lanky Durham paceman, who has taken 15 wickets in 21/2 matches in English county cricket this season at an average of 13.13, won a place in England's squad for the first Test against the West Indies next week.

Onions effectively replaced his Durham teammate Steve Harmison in the Test squad and is now in the frame for a place in the Ashes series.

The uncapped Englishman spent the early part of this year in Newcastle, taking 11 wickets in two matches for Stockton at an average of 10.73.

His elevation to the international arena caught the West Indies by surprise.

"I have not heard of him," acting captain Denesh Ramdin told English paper The Times, unwittingly confirming as much by referring to him as "Onion".

Onions was nonetheless ecstatic after receiving a phone call from national selector Geoff Miller.

"It's absolutely brilliant," he told the Cricinfo website.

Onions was injured for much of last year and played only five matches for Durham when they won their first county championship.

"It was nice to think I was still in their minds even though I wasn't involved in the winter squads or last summer," Onions told Cricinfo.

"When you aren't involved you always think that maybe your chance has gone, but I was in the right frame of mind after good preparation for the summer."

Onions was first picked by England in 2006 when he was named in the one-day squad that was taking on Pakistan.

He admits at the time to being extremely raw, but feels he is now much better equipped to deal with the demands of international cricket.

"When I first got called into the one-day squad I think I was renowned as someone a little bit hot-headed who could only bowl quick," he said.

"The good thing is I've not lost any of that pace, which is great, but I've become a lot more controlled and know what I'm doing with the ball.

"I can bowl a bouncer or a yorker whenever I want and I feel my skills have improved 10 times, and on the mental side I'm much better.

"When things get tough I can go to different plans. It's a hugely exciting time for me now and I just can't wait to get going."