GRAHAM ONIONS CAN SWING IT FOR ENGLAND

KEVIN PIETERSEN reckons England's swing kings have proved there is life after Freddie Flintoff.

Jimmy Anderson and Graham Onions bagged nine wickets between them on Friday to skittle the Aussies for just 263. They were robbed of their chance to inflict more pain yesterday as the third day of the Third Ashes Test was completely washed out.

Flintoff's Lord's heroics a fortnight ago led to claims England were too reliant on the soon-to-be-retired all-rounder. But Pietersen says that is rubbish and that England have more than enough firepower to live with the best in the world.

Aggression

KP said: "Of course, when Fred bowls the way he did at Lord's he's in a different league to pretty much any other bowler in the world. On his day there is no better bowler in terms of sustained aggression and pace.

ONE IN MILL-ONION - Graham Onions strikes for England

"But we've shown again in this Test we have plenty of bowling depth. Definitely, things are bright for the future after Fred retires. To win the Ashes - or any series, for that matter - you need every player in the team to do their job and, at the moment, that's what we're doing. You can't just have one guy doing it all for you. I said before the series we have the best bowlers in the world to exploit swinging conditions and we've shown that is the case."

Durham pace man Onions (right) has now bagged 17 wickets in four Tests and was yesterday rewarded with a central contract.

Investment

The ECB will take a £1million hit for yesterday's washout but still see Onions as a worthwhile investment for the future.

Pietersen said: "Graham has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water. He's got pace and can swing the ball. I love his aggressive approach."

Pietersen's absence with an Achilles injury has left a hole in England's middle order. England's star batsman underwent surgery last Tuesday but is confident he can feature in September's one-day series.

Stitches

He said: "I'm still very optimistic of playing against the Aussies again this summer. I have my stitches out on Tuesday and that's when I'll speak to the surgeon and get a better idea of when I can get back playing.

"The pain isn't as bad as it was and I'm off the crutches now so at least I'm doing some walking about. I'm not going to rush because I want to get it right. I'm not putting a time frame on it but I'm desperate to get back.

"Being injured reminds me how much I love playing for England. I've played 54 Tests and I can't wait to play another 54 once I get fit."

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