By Sam Lyon

I've been putting the hours in to ensure I'm in the best possible shape, both physically and mentally, should I be called upon Owais Shah

When Duncan Fletcher departed as England coach back in April this year, one man could have been forgiven for welcoming the news more than most.

An average of well over 40 in county cricket and scores of 88 and 38 on Test debut against India were still not enough to earn Middlesex batsman Owais Shah a regular place in Fletcher's squad.

So while the likes of Marcus Trescothick, Ian Bell and, latterly, Alastair Cook flourished under the Zimbabwean, Shah was left to kick his heels on the county circuit wondering if he'd go down as one of history's most notable one-cap wonders.

That was until Moores took over; Shah was immediately brought back into the side for the Test series against West Indies and, despite a double failure at Lord's, went on to hold down a regular slot in the one-day set-up.

Finally, Shah's international fortunes were looking decidedly brighter and after playing a key role in the historic one-day series win in Sri Lanka earlier this year, many believed he would go on to add to his two Test caps in the number six role ahead of Ravi Bopara.

Not so. Unfortunately for him, despite knocks of 38 (retired out), 26 and 33 not out in the warm-up games, the nod for the first Test went to young Essex batsman Bopara.

"Obviously missing out on selection for the first Test was a huge disappointment," Shah told BBC Sport.

606: DEBATE I like Bopara... but we've got to look to win the last test and for this alone we have to bring in Shah weirdandbewildered

"Peter and the selectors just told me they felt they had picked the best XI possible for the Test in Kandy and that's top level sport - sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn't."

It's an admirably philosophical approach for a player who must now be a firm believer in deja vu.

"All you can do is get back in the nets or in the gym, be patient and try to prove you deserve a place back in the hat for selection," he adds.

"Then, if and when an opportunity comes your way, you have to grab it with both hands and prove what you can do."

And it is an opportunity that may come sooner rather than later.

With England heading into the final Test at Galle needing a victory to draw the series, the failure of the batsmen to post a score over 400 in four innings appears to have cost them dear.

Despite his undoubted promise, Bopara has yet to impress in Tests

Bopara is averaging just 14 after two Tests, while some are even suggesting an extra batsman is needed to bolster a tail that looks decidedly vulnerable on paper.

And Shah insists he is ready and willing if need be, saying: "I've been putting the work in off the pitch.

"When you're not involved in the matches you obviously have a lot of time to yourself to work on your game, and the coaches here have been brilliant.

"I've been putting the hours in to ensure I'm in the best possible shape, both physically and mentally, should I be called upon and I'm feeling in good touch with the bat.

"A lot of the talk in our dressing room is about converting scores into big hundreds and all the batsmen, including myself, have been working towards that should we get the chance.

"I have also been working on my off-spin, which I hope to develop as another string to my bow, and now it's a case of waiting to see which way the selectors go."

Nervously waiting and wishing on a selector's call is a position Shah is familiar with, but the Middlesex man's spirits remain high.

Not many teams come away from Sri Lanka with much other than a defeat and it would be a great achievement Owais Shah

"It's an honour just to be part of the set-up," he said.

"But it would be brilliant to get the call and have the opportunity to help the team secure the win that would earn us a drawn series.

"Obviously before the series we wanted to win, but not many teams come away from Sri Lanka with much other than a defeat and it would be a great achievement.

"If I can play my part in that, I will be delighted."