The 26-year-old, chosen ahead of Durham team mate Steve Harmison who has been in steady decline since the 2005 Ashes series, became the first England player since James Anderson in 2003 to take five wickets on his test debut at Lord's.

His performance on the second day of the first test against West Indies justified the selectors' decision to look to county cricket for some new blood two months before the start of the Ashes series.

"Today I gave myself a pat on the back and I'm very proud of what I've done. It's a really good day for myself and a massive confidence boost," Onions, who took three wickets in one over to help skittle out the tourists for 152 in their first innings, told a news conference.

The unassuming seamer from northeastern England said he had been a little in awe of some of his established team mates when he first arrived.

"It was quite strange when I first went into the changing rooms – Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Strauss -- I've got people in that changing room that I never thought I'd have the opportunity to play with," he said.

Pinch Myself

"It's a dream come true and I've got to pinch myself a few times. It's been a day I'll never forget."

Onions said a difficult year in 2008, where injury kept him out much of Durham's championship-winning season, had spurred him to work hard.

"(I thought) I'm going to really dig in," he said. "I spent a lot of time in the gym trying to get fit and strong and came back this year and I feel a different person, I feel fit and strong, I feel good about myself."

Onions's flurry of success came after an excellent spell by Graeme Swann, who has become England's first choice spinner, ahead of Monty Panesar, since a confident test debut in November when he took two Indian wickets in his maiden over.

He then took five wickets twice in tests in the Caribbean in February and on Thursday took three, including the prized wicket of Shivnarine Chanderpaul after dismissing Devon Smith with the previous ball.

Earlier in the day he had notched his first test fifty. "Graeme set the tone in the morning with the bat," said Onions.

"I'm going to come back tomorrow all guns blazing, I think there is a very good game of cricket to win tomorrow."