Shah keen for Final fling

Middlesex batsman admits to thinking about Standford millions

Last updated: 25th July 2008

Shah keen for Final fling

Shah: Hoping to help Middlesex to glory

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Owais Shah intends to give the England selectors a timely reminder of his abilities on Twenty20 Finals Day.

The batsman will be part of Middlesex's middle order that goes up against a strong Durham attack in the second semi-final on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.

As well as trying to help his county through to the final of the tournament, Shah knows a good performance would improve his chances of playing against Sir Allen Stanford's West Indies all star XI this winter.

That match - which will see each winning player collect around £500,000 each - has been on the mind of the 29-year-old, who has become a regular in England's one-day side in the last 12 months.

"I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking about that game in Antigua," he said. "I'm always looking to perform well and remind the selectors I can play all forms of the game.

"The idea is to keep putting the runs on the board and puttting the pressure on the selectors. But at the moment I am just trying to focus on Saturday's finals day."

For now Shah is focusing on trying to help the only county he has ever served pick up some silverware at The Rose Bowl.

The Crusaders have been the surprise package in this year's Twenty20 competition having struggled in the short format in previous years.

"I've been at the club for 13-14 years and it is the first semi-final I'll be playing in so I am really excited about it," the right-hander admitted.

"I've seen finals day on TV before and it always seems to be lots of fun and now it will be great to be part of it.

"It is all about who plays the better cricket on the day. Twenty20 cricket is pretty unpredictable. If we play good cricket, I think we will come out on top.

"We are aware Durham have got some seriously good cricketers but we like to back ourselves in the Twenty20 form of the game.

"We have only lost two or three games in the competition this summer so hopefully we can take that form on."