Shah wants Test spot

Owais Shah falls four short of a stylish hundred © Getty Images

Owais Shah claimed the first success in his week-long challenge to persuade the selectors he is the right candidate to complete England’s batting line-up in next week’s first Test against New Zealand.

Having failed to win the race with close friend Ravi Bopara for a place in England’s Test line-up in Sri Lanka before Christmas, Shah began the second leg of the tour to New Zealand knowing he was now in competition with Middlesex team-mate Andrew Strauss.

But Shah claimed the first victory in their battle to win the selector’s recognition by top-scoring with 96 as England reached 369 for nine at the close of the first day of their two-day warm-up match against an Invitational side which included five members of New Zealand’s last Test line-up.

While Shah took advantage of two reprieves to hit 14 fours and a six in his innings at the University Oval, Strauss failed to make an impact and was dismissed for four in unlucky circumstances when he hit his own wicket.

Shah has put himself in the frame for selection in Thursday’s three-day match against a Select XI including eight potential members of New Zealand’s Test squad when England are expected to field a side close to the one they intend to select for Seddon Park.

“I’ve known Strauss for a very long time, but the difference this time is that he’s been there and played and done well against the best teams in the world,” conceded Shah.

“Things are obviously in his favour but I’d like to think I’m also putting pressure on the selectors and have shown what I can do and push for my selection. Runs on the board always count in my view and if I can keep doing that then hopefully I’ll get selected.”

Shah was dropped at mid-on after looping an attempted drive off seamer Mark Gillespie straight to Sam Wells on 38, but survived after the regulation catch was missed.

He has put his name forward for this week’s three-day match at the very least and an opportunity to bounce back from the disappointment of having his path blocked by Bopara in Sri Lanka.

“It’s still early days because we’ve got another three day game against a good side to come so if I do get chance in that and get some runs then I think I will have put some pressure on the selectors to pick me for the first Test,” said Shah.

Shah shows a light touch during his impressive knock

Perhaps the only thing he could have done to aid his cause more was to get a big century, but his hopes of achieving that were ended when he attempted to sweep off-spinner Will Somerville and picked out short third man.

While the final place in England’s batting order for the first Test remains unresolved, at least they can console themselves with the good form of at least two members of their established top six.

Opener Alastair Cook looked in supreme form throughout his 85 off 81 balls, most of which was scored off Test hopefuls Gillespie and Iain O’Brien, before chipping a return catch to seamer Sam Wells.

Ian Bell also finished unbeaten on 75 in two innings having initially retired on 59 only to return once Monty Panesar was stranded as the last man so England could bat out the day.

But the tourists may be concerned with the form of captain Michael Vaughan and wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, who both failed to make a significant contribution in their first innings of the tour.

Vaughan, who arrived with the Test specialists a week ago, looked to be finding his rhythm after reaching 27 but pushed too hard at a full-length delivery from Smith and edged behind.

Wicketkeeper Ambrose poses a different problem having not played a competitive innings during his time with the one-day squad and needed runs to secure his place behind the stumps for the first Test.

Ambrose pulled straight to mid-wicket after scoring only two but wicketkeeping rival Phil Mustard fared little better and edged spinner Somerville behind for 10.