 Shah has averaged 46.72 in one-day internationals since last summer
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Owais Shah can stake a claim for an England Test place against the West Indies after he was named in the team to face St Kitts & Nevis on Sunday.
Shah has played just two Tests in three years, but was picked for his one-day pedigree and form for Middlesex.
"He has pretty much done everything he could do," said England captain Andrew Strauss of Shah's persistence.
After the three-dayer England play West Indies A on Thursday before the first Test in Jamaica starts on 4 February.
Shah will line up alongside Ian Bell, the man he is pushing for a Test place, while Stuart Broad is omitted and Yorkshire's Adil Rashid is included as a second spinner to Monty Panesar for the match at Warner Park.
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It has also been revealed that Alastair Cook will be opening partner Strauss' right-hand man during the Test section of the tour.
Long viewed as a future England captain, the 24-year-old has 36 caps to his name.
He said: "It is a very unofficial position, but it is another chance for me to gain some valuable leadership experience and help Straussy in any way I can."
On the appointment, BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew added: "New England captains often lack experience and in giving Cook the responsibility to deputise it shows that Strauss also has an eye on the future."
Shah's one-day international performances since the start of last summer are excellent, scoring an average 46.72 including five half-centuries, and Strauss believes he has the temperament to succeed in Test cricket.
"He hasn't had much opportunity in Test cricket but judging by the number of runs he has scored in county cricket it would be fair to deduce he would be able to replicate it in Tests as well," he said.
"One thing we have done over the last few years quite consistently is give people a run when they have got in the team, certainly batsmen.
"I suppose to a certain extent he has not been given that because he came into the side due to injuries or withdrawals rather than taking someone's place."
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