Owais Shah called up to Squad

England in India, 2005-06

England name Shah as further cover

Cricinfo staff

February 26, 2006

England have confirmed that Owais Shah has been called into the squad in India as additional cover ahead of the first Test at Nagpur on Wednesday. Marcus Trescothick flew home for personal reasons on Saturday and Michael Vaughan is still struggling with his knee injury.

Alastair Cook had already left the A tour in West Indies to join the senior squad - along with James Anderson as fast bowling cover - and now Shah brings cover for the middle order after Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood suffered back strains in the last week.

Shah was the favourite to get the nod, despite still recovering from a knee injury of his own, and has been pushing for a recall after a prolific domestic season in 2005. He has 15 ODIs under his belt and was preferred to Vikram Solanki and Ed Joyce who are also in West Indies.

Earlier David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, confirmed to Sky Sports that further reinforcements were needed, but that the replacement would be unlikely to play at Nagpur. "We need an extra body out there, but he wouldn't arrive there the night before the Test match so it would have to be extremely extreme circumstances for a man to travel half way round the world and then play for England."

He also admitted the current situation is making a tough tour even tougher. "Also allied to the cricketing injuries, there's gastric influenza spreading through the team. It's been a difficult time but everyone has to rally round. India was going to be a test, even with a fully fit squad. But everyone will rally round."

Graveney confirmed that if Vaughan fails to make the Test, Andrew Flintoff will lead England for the first time. "Let's hope Michael's fit because in these circumstances he's a key man. If that isn't the case, Flintoff will captain. The issue regarding [Paul] Collingwood and [Kevin] Pietersen seems to be better every day, as it does with Simon Jones."

© Cricinfo

I thought Strauss would lead if Vaughan was injured.

goos move to call up shah.

Good luck to him. Hopefully he will make a better fist of it this time.

I've always rated Owais Shah as a decent batsman. He however has not lived up to expectations and at times has let himself down.

This could be the big chance he needs and I hope he is given a decent run in the side.

I am a Middlesex fan and I like Shah. If he is picked it will be interested to see how he does against Kumble and Harbhajan

Nice to hear that people are getting better, though I am still worried about Vaughan and absolutely gutted about Tres...all these rumours flying about concerning Tres as well - might just be better to give him a rest from the whole series, instead of call him back, after he has spent some time at home.

Family comes first and cricket second. If his head isnt in India whats the point in bringing his body there?

Shah still ins't fully fit after knee surgery, bit risky replacing your captain who's injured his knee with someone who's just had an operation on his.

Whippy, whats the story with Trescothick ? I recall a similar issue with Graham Thorpe a few years back, who was going through a divorce.

owais shah used to go to my school, we won every cup back then, his dad used to work for my dad

Tres left the training camp in tears apparently. It is rumoured his wife or child might have fallen quite badly ill, but of course there are going to be all sorts of things flying around when a man and his friends simply ask his privacy to be respected. Dunno what really happened.

The bloodsucking media of today will find out the real reason eventually, they dont care for anything but selling papers. Most likely, everyone will know soon because of that.

I would have put Solanki ahead of Shah.
Shah has a few Technical Glitches, which get found out at this level.
Solanki has better Technical ability and more international experience.

Rumour is that his wife has had some bad news regarding her health.

If it is this serious, then I wish him all the best.

Did you go Syon or Lampton?

Edit

syon

Owais was in my class...

I also coached him...

Was he a nice guy?

he was a true pakistani man, well safe

it was cos of his honesty and good deeds that got him so succesful

And his big hands... owi's got biggggg hands... would like to see a handshaking contest between Owais & Afridi..

I rang him when England Lost