OWAIS Shah plans to let his bat do the talking when South Africa come to Park Road on Friday.
The Middlesex star, who has been strutting his stuff for England on the one-day stage, has been tantalisingly close to the Test side for several years but has only two caps to show for his undoubted talent.
But with the Proteas visiting Uxbridge for a three-day warm-up game Shah has a great opportunity to give the selectors another nudge ahead of the four-match Test series which starts at Lord's a week tomorrow (Thursday).
The 29-year-old is enjoying another good season for Middlesex but so is Ravi Bopara of Essex, one of his rivals for the national team, while Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood, whohave been so short of form in Tests, found some in the one-day arena and are likely to be given another chance.
Shah has had to get used to playing a waiting game when it comes to England but with the South Africans likely to name a strong side it is an ideal opportunity for him to under-line his credentials once more.
"I think I can play at the highest level of the game if given the opportunity," said Shah. "I've performed for the last four years now but you've just got to wait your turn.
"I think Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell will probably start and then I'm not really sure how far away I am or how close I am.
"I may be next in line but obviously Ravi Bopara has played really well this year and you never know, he may be next in line.
"I'll just try and perform for Middlesex and if I get the phone call then great.
"If not, I just carry on playing for Middlesex."
Shah did well against the Kiwis throughout June, compiling a run of 49, 18, 0, 63 and then 69 on his 41st one-day appearance, but he has yet to convince the selectors of his Test worth despite making 88 and 38 on his debut. If he plays for Middlesex on Friday he will hope for a better return than the 13 runs he managed in two knocks on the same ground against Northants earlier this week.
