Onions out of Ashes

England bowler Graham Onions has been ruled out of the Ashes series in Australia after opting to have surgery in a bid to rescue his career.

Onions has been battling a stress fracture-related problem in his back for most of this year and has failed to respond to conventional treatment.

The right-arm medium-pace bowler featured in England's 2009 Ashes triumph, but he is now expected to be out of action for up to nine months.

"Obviously I'm shattered to have been ruled out of the Ashes with the prospect of a lengthy recovery period," Onions said.

"After experiencing the euphoria of being part of an Ashes-winning England team last year I was determined to get myself fit for selection ahead of this winter's tour of Australia."

"Unfortunately that's not to be and even though we have tried every possible form of treatment, surgery is the only option left."

"It's been a difficult period for me but I realise that I have to have this operation if I want to play cricket again."

England begin their defence of the Ashes in Brisbane on November 25.