OWAIS Shah hopes a hatful of runs for Essex can force him back in to the England team this season.

Shah scored 96 on his first class debut for the county against his former Middlesex side this week.

And he now wants to produce more eye catching performances in a bid to earn international recognition once again.

“Of course I still have aspirations to play for England again,” said Shah who last played for his country in 2009.

“I want to be consistent for Essex and score more runs than anyone else.

“If I do that then maybe the selectors would have to take note.”

Shah has played 71 times in one day internationals for England and 17 Twenty20 games.

The 32-year-old, who was born in Pakistan, has also played in six test matches He started with a strong 88 on his debut against India in 2006 but the batsman’s opportunities were few and far between and he did not make his third appearance until 2009 against the West Indies.

After that, Shah was dropped after a weak series which saw him lose his place to his now team-mate at the County Ground, Ravi Bopara.

But he is determined to impress for Essex.

“I’m excited to have come here because the club has had success in different competitions in the past few years and it’s a good place to play,” said Shah.

“I also live in London so it’s not too far for me to travel so I’m looking forward to this season ahead.

“I want to get a lot of runs and help the team to do well.

“We have some work to do in the four day format but are doing OK in the Pro40.

“The Twenty20 is also starting soon too and that’s another competition we have high hopes for.”

Shah will head in to that full of confidence after impressing against Middlesex.

He hit 17 fours and a six against the side he left during the summer.

But Shah insisted he was treating it as just another game.

“I didn’t want to put more pressure on myself because that never works,” said Shah, who spent 14 years with Middlesex.

“I just took each ball as it came like I normally would.

“I was disappointed to be out for 96 like any batsman would be but hopefully next time I will be able to get to a hundred and score plenty of runs for Essex.”