Shah hoping for Test selection

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.

Strauss remains favourite to get the nod for next week's opening Test in Hamilton because he will add crucial experience to their top order as a veteran of 43 Tests regardless of how he performs in the two warm-up matches.

If nothing else, though, 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.

"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," he added.