Shah handed chance to shine

Andrew Strauss' first foray into full-time international captaincy will offer Owais Shah the chance to stake a claim for a Test place.

England revealed their XI to face a St Kitts and Nevis side in a three-day match at Warner Park after a three-hour practice session on Saturday, and Shah lines up alongside Ian Bell - the man he is pressurising for a place.

It was also revealed that opening partner Alastair Cook will be Strauss' right-hand man during the Test section of the tour.

The surface used for the match, which begins on Sunday, is expected to be slow and England, who will field 11 men rather than treat the game as a free-for-all practice, have included Yorkshire's Adil Rashid as a second spinner to Monty Panesar.

Stuart Broad is an interesting omission but the resting of Paul Collingwood will allow Shah the chance to force his way into contention for the first Test in Jamaica, which starts on February 4.

"He has pretty much done everything he could do," said Strauss of Shah's persistence.

"He has certainly played very well in the one-day game and he has pretty much consistently scored runs in four-day cricket for Middlesex as well, so he is definitely knocking on the door very loudly.

"That is a great situation to have as a team, knowing there is someone very competent to come in."