Cricket: Shah’s long-term target is return to Test arena

Feb 12 2008 by Myles Hodgson, Liverpool Daily Post

OWAIS SHAH is hoping to tread a well-travelled route into England’s Test line-up by establishing his credentials for international cricket through the one-day arena.

The 29-year-old Middlesex batsman has been part of England’s one-day set-up since 2001, but has only recently established himself since Peter Moores took over as coach last summer and has played 14 of the last 16 one-day internationals.

During that time he has scored a brilliant century against India at the Oval and won the man of the match award to inspire England’s fightback against Sri Lanka at Dambulla with an 82 last October. But delighted as Shah is to be the established No 6 in England’s one-day line-up, he believes he has unfinished business with Test cricket having played two Tests in his career – including an impressive 88 on his debut against India in Mumbai two years ago.

"The Test series is still a long way away, but if I can play well here, cement my spot in the side and keep putting performances in then it is up to the selectors to decide whether they think I’m a good enough player to play Test cricket and hopefully I can get the nod," he said.

Shah is hoping he can follow in the footsteps of players like Marcus Trescothick and even current captain Paul Collingwood, who both proved their capabilities in the shortened format of the game before being given an extended chance at Test level.

His only Test opportunities have come about so far through injury, the last of which was last summer when he filled in for the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s when captain Michael Vaughan was injured.

He was included in the Test squad for the tour to Sri Lanka before Christmas, but lost out in the race to his close friend Ravi Bopara who struggled throughout the three Tests.

This time he faces competition from the recalled Andrew Strauss for a place in the Test series next month, but Shah is hopeful his displays during the rest of the one-day series against New Zealand can only help his cause.

"I’d like to think my performances in the one-dayers would help," stressed Shah, who was hoping to help England bounce back from Saturday’s opening defeat in the second match of the one-day series in Hamilton overnight.

"We have a history in English cricket where if you do well in one-day cricket it is considered a stepping stone for the Test side. I was disappointed not to get a go in Sri Lanka because I was just desperate to get a chance to play in the Test side – that’s the ultimate goal, to play Test cricket.

"Ravi got the chance and I wished him well, but things didn’t quite work out for him. I was disappointed but you keep working hard and it makes you that much hungrier to get another chance."

Like Ryan Sidebottom before him – another player who was studiously overlooked by former coach Duncan Fletcher despite impressive county performances – Shah now believes the set up and the system is there for him to succeed and prosper in both Test and one-day cricket.

"I feel a part of the squad and I feel the team wants me rather than in the past when I’ve come in when someone has got injured and when that person came back I would have to sit it out," added Shah.

"Now I have a regular spot in the side and I feel the team wants me in there. It helps me to express myself and play my natural game. I feel like that at Middlesex and it’s the same sort of environment in the one- day team as well."