Durham fast bowler Graham Onions has received the all-clear from a specialist to resume his career after a year out with a spinal injury.
The 28-year-old underwent an operation in the autumn of 2010 after suffering a hairline fracture of the spine.
“Scans were really good and been given the green light to start bowling,” Onions said via Twitter.
“This is a big step, can’t wait to start bowling. Realise that I have to go slow to start but look out.”
Injury saw Onions lose his England and Wales Cricket Board central contract in September 2010, after the back problem flared up during England’s tour of Bangladesh in March of that year.
He missed both Tests of that tour and did not play at all for club or country during the domestic 2010 season.
It means Onions’ last appearance came in the third Test of last winter’s tour to South Africa when he and Graeme Swann batted out the last 17 balls to save the game in Cape Town.
Onions also missed the victorious Ashes tour this winter, a disappointment following his contribution to the 2009 Ashes victory on home soil.
