91Èȱ¬

England and Durham seamer Graham Onions has expressed frustration after injury ruled him out of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Oval.

The 30-year-old missed out on a place in the final XI for the fourth Test at Durham's Chester-le-Street home after being named in the squad for the game.

He then broke a little finger in Durham's YB40 win at Scotland.

"I do feel a bit harshly done by breaking my finger but that's sport," Onions told 91Èȱ¬ Look North.

"When it comes to selection with England, you wait so long. I've spent a lot of time in the winter touring, carrying drinks and waiting for an opportunity, but professional cricket is cruel at times."

He has been one of the County Championship's most consistent performers this summer, taking 44 wickets in eight games for Durham, who began their latest match against Surrey in fourth place, 25.5 points behind leaders Yorkshire, but with a game in hand.

Onions is eager to return to action for the final stages of the title race and earn himself a place in the England squad for Australia this winter.

"It'll be about three weeks and I've had a week already, so that will be hopefully just another two weeks," he said.

"When you do well you want to keep on performing, so it's hard to take, but it's chance for a break and to get refreshed.

"After this Test match, there's no more Test cricket for the summer and I won't be involved in the one-day stuff, so it's an opportunity to get myself right and get my shirt on for Durham."