Shah sets sights on Test recall after cementing England one-day place

Middlesex batsman Shah has won just one more cap since a stunning 88 on his Test baptism, the victory over India in Mumbai in 2006.

The 29-year-old spent a frustrating 2007/08 winter carrying the drinks around Sri Lanka and New Zealand, after losing out initially to Ravi Bopara and then Andrew Strauss in the selection equation.

Hit man: Owais Shah is a one-day regular - now he wants an England Test role

But, having shown his worth to the limited-over side with a scintillating 49 in the crushing victory over New Zealand in Sunday's NatWest Series opener, he anticipates another chance in five-day cricket.

Of his winter omission, Shah said: "It was very tough, of course it was, I was desperate to play Test cricket but it is the way the sport goes.

"People perform, get on a roll and sometimes you just have to wait your turn. How long you wait, I don't know, you just have to keep on waiting.

"Michael Hussey didn't get a chance until he was 32 or something, and he was one of the best batters in the country in Australia - I just have to wait and grab my opportunity.

"I am a bit up and down really. Sometimes I worry, sometimes I think I will get an opportunity. It varies. But deep down I get a feeling I will get another opportunity, so there is still hope."

Although there have been some downs in the past calendar year, England have begun to win series under Paul Collingwood's limited-overs captaincy.

Back-to-back successes over India and Sri Lanka at the end of the 2007 summer were followed by defeat in New Zealand but they have begun the home campaign against the Black Caps in the ascendancy.

With the ICC Champions Trophy and inaugural Twenty20 World Cup both on the agenda in the next 12 months, the team appear on course to make a better fist than their previous few tournaments.

Shah Continued: "Fifteen to 20 months ago the England one-day team was not winning as much but over the last eight or nine months we have won a fair bit - it is great to be involved."

Shah's power hitting at the Riverside, which occupied just 25 deliveries, meant he overshadowed the irrepressible Kevin Pietersen for half-an-hour at the end of England's 307 for five.

And it came with a classical approach rather than the switch hitting of his fifth-wicket partner.

"It was a wonderful innings by Kev, to get the right balance between orthodox and very unorthodox," Shah added.

"There were some unbelievable shots. He is just a freak. I will leave that all to him, I don't know if I could do that. I just try to play with a straight bat."

England, meanwhile, will check on Alastair Cook's shoulder injury today before deciding whether to call Andrew Strauss back into the squad as batting cover.