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The 28-year-old Kent opener hasn't featured for his country since January 2005, but hopes that a big score against the tourists will help him come back in from the cold.

He said: "You've got a great stage to stake your own claims personally and you can also do a little bit for England.

"England had a tough time this winter, they managed to win the series, but the senior guys didn't have the winter they would have liked.

"That does create opportunities for other people, but it will depend on the guys playing in the first Test.

"They're the ones who have got the job at the minute and if they go out and score runs it will be harder for us, but if they don't then it will be easier for all the batters waiting in the wings.

"When you've been out in the wilderness you start wondering at times whether that's it for me with England, but you always have that hope and it's nice to be back captaining this side."