england can thank Australia for putting the finishing touches to Owais Shah's great potential and allowing him to become the find of the NatWest Triangular tournament.

Middlesex batsman Shah has been regarded as one of the great hopes in the English game from an early age, fast-tracked onto an A tour aged just 18 before going on to captain England under-19s to their youth World Cup victory three years ago.

But until recently, Shah has been often accused of lacking the desire or determination to transform his undoubted talent into scores at the top level and scored only 489 first-class runs last season.

During the winter, however, he took up the advice of Middlesex overseas player Justin Langer and went to play grade cricket in Perth under the guidance of coach Wayne Andrews and returned a far more focused individual.

He currently tops the averages in the championship's second division with an average of 75 and already has 675 runs to his name, including two centuries and three half-centuries, to earn him his call-up into England's one-day squad, initially as cover for Graham Thorpe's calf injury.

He responded to that call with an unbeaten 28 against Australia at Bristol on his debut and followed up with a maiden international half-century, scoring a determined 62 in a record fourth-wicket stand with Marcus Trescothick during the dramatic two-run defeat by Pakistan at Lord's.

''He seems more relaxed after coming back from Australia,'' conceded former Middlesex captain and coach Mike Gatting. ''He understands what needs to be done which may stem from only getting two knocks a month in Australia."

But perhaps the biggest advantage Shah has going for him is his ice-cool temperament, which he displayed to great affect when he strode to the wicket with England on 26 for three and helped forge a 170-run stand.

''He has always had ability, it was just a question of bringing it through and he's always had a good head on his shoulders which helps in pressure situations,'' said Gatting.

''When I first came across him he had a bit of growing up to do, but the great talent was always there. He had all the shots but his shot selection was sometimes not good. He'd be playing like God and all of a sudden wallop, one up in the air.

''I got very frustrated with him at times because I knew he had the ability and I may not have handled it well at times, but it's great to see him reap the rewards now."

Both the influence of Gatting and Andrews in Perth seems to have finally struck home with Shah, who has taken to the international scene impressively quickly.

''I think I'm just an average 22-year-old really,'' he said. ''I don't think you can play for England just on potential, you have to perform and put runs on the board and that's what I've been trying to do for Middlesex.

''I had a terrible year last year and scored only about 400 runs, which is terrible for a professional batsman, and I've had other bad years, but I want to score 1,000 runs this year because I've never done that before.

''If I don't enjoy batting at the moment, I'm never going to enjoy it am I? I've had a reasonable start to the season and I am enjoying it personally and everyone at Middlesex is enjoying the start we've had.''

Shah's involvement with England is expected to continue with Thorpe, who injured his right calf in the warm-up for the opening match at Edgbaston a week ago, being ruled out for at least another week with every possibility he will not feature in the tournament.

Thorpe was given another fitness check yesterday, but England have decided to delay his return and will examine him again before their final qualification match against Australia at the Oval next Thursday.

But if they fail to win the two matches leading up to that, starting with today's day-night encounter with Australia at Old Trafford, their interest in the tournament will already be over with Pakistan facing the world champions in the June 23 final at Lord's.