Shah stakes his claim

Owais Shah plays a wristy flick off his legs © Getty Images

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Owais Shah is refusing to get carried away by his chances of earning a Test recall after impressing in England's warm-up match against a Invitational XI as they build up to the start of the Test series against New Zealand.

Shah top-scored with 96 while Middlesex team-mate Andrew Strauss was dismissed for four as England reached 369 for nine on the opening day of a two-day match against an Invitational side including five members of New Zealand's last Test line-up.

It was a timely display for Shah, who is keen to secure a place in the side to face a Select XI in the three-day match starting on Thursday, which is England's final warm-up match before next week's opening Test.

"It didn't quite happen for me with getting to three figures, but I was reasonably happy with the way I struck the ball so I can't complain," said Shah, who hit 14 fours and a six during his innings.

"It's important to get a good start, impress the selectors, the captain and the coach and try and put some runs on the board so I can put my name in the hat for selection for the first Test.

"It's still early days because we've got another three-day game against a good side to come so if I do get a 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."

Shah is expecting the side named to face the Select XI, which includes eight candidates for New Zealand's first Test line-up, to be very close to the team chosen by England to contest the start of the series at Seddon Park.

"I'm guessing but I'd have thought they'll play the team for the first Test in the three-day game and I'd like to think I've put my name in the hat for that," he added.

"If I can get the nod for that and get some runs in that then obviously the first Test then I'd like to think I will be in the mixer."

England's wicketkeeping debate was not really influenced by events on the field on day one with Tim Ambrose, the favourite to get the gloves for the first Test, scoring only two in his first innings of the tour while rival Phil Mustard was dismissed for 10.