Onions replaces Flintoff in England's CT squad

Graham Onions has replaced Andrew Flintoff in England's squad for the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in South Africa, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Monday.

Durham pace bowler Onions (26) has also been called up into the England party for their ongoing one-day international (ODI) series against Australia.

Flintoff, who retired from Test cricket after England's recent Ashes series success, was initially named in a 15-man Champions Trophy squad but was subsequently ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed the Champions Trophy event technical committee has approved the replacement of Flintoff with Onions for the tournament to be staged in South Africa from September 22 to October 5.

Onions, who has yet to make his limited overs international debut, will join the England squad as they prepare for the third ODI against Australia at Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground on Wednesday.

Australia lead the seven-match series 2-0.

Onions's promotion is the latest chapter in a fine season for the bowler, who only made his Test debut in May, against the West Indies at Lord's, and promptly took five wickets for 38 runs including a dramatic spell of four wickets in seven balls.

He also featured in three of the five Ashes Tests but was left out as Flintoff returned for last month's Oval finale where England's 197-run win gave them the series 2-1.

England squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa:

Andrew Strauss (capt), James Anderson, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denly, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Matt Prior (wkt), Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Luke Wright