Durham seamer Graham Onions is ready for selection on his home ground in the fourth Investec Ashes Test.
The 30-year-old from Gateshead has not played so far in the series, which England lead 2-0 with two to play, but is part of the squad at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Onions has been his consistent self in this year’s LV= County Championship with 44 wickets in eight games at an average of 20.77.
“I feel as if I’ve played well for Durham this year and if the chance did come along I’d be ready,” he said.
"It would be amazing. To get into this side is hard work. I'm in the squad so obviously I'm up for selection and it would be amazing.
"As a young boy I've grown up here and played all my cricket here. You get a buzz coming not the ground and it's a bit different to a normal Durham game and it'd be fantastic to play for England on Friday."
Onions was in England’s squad for the first two Tests of the series but overlooked for the third match at Old Trafford.
“I was disappointed in the last game not to be involved in the squad, but I’m delighted to be here at Durham where I’ve played all my cricket,” he added.
“In the north-east I’d be very proud to put that England shirt on. I’m sure I would get a decent reception if I was to play.”
Onions would be suited to a pitch offering seam movement, but Australia batsman Steven Smith thinks that is unlikely given what he has seen so far.
“The wicket looks like it’s going to be quite dry and maybe a little bit slow. That’s kind of what we’re expecting coming up here,” Smith said.
“The nets out the back are quite slow so we got a bit of practice out there on that and hopefully come Friday we’re ready for the challenge.”
Smith hopes Australia can achieve victory at Durham, as they came close to in Manchester before rain ensured England retained the Ashes.
“It would be nice to get a win on the board here. We’re obviously disappointed that last day at Old Trafford. We were clearly in the box position and looking to drive the game forward there,” he added.
“That’s our sole focus at the moment to try and win this Test match and level the series when we go to The Oval.”