Shahzad says Aussies hold no fear for in-form England

Shahzad was called into England's NatWest Series squad yesterday, as cover for the injured Ryan Sidebottom, and joined up with his team-mates in Loughborough yesterday morning.

He acknowledges a five-match one-day international series against Ricky Ponting's team – following Saturday's 50-over opener against Scotland in Edinburgh – will be a stern test, but he is confident Andrew Strauss' side will rise to the challenge as they once more take on opposition they beat in the ICC World Twenty20 final last month – and whom, of course, they will face again in next winter's Ashes. "It will be a step up for the lads. But everybody is focused and ready for it," said Shahzad. "There's no fear, no nerves – and it's nice to be part of that kind of dressing room."

Shahzad's chance comes after he was omitted from the initial 13 last week. Four days earlier, he had marked his Test debut at Old Trafford by helping England wrap up a 2-0 npower series win over Bangladesh – but the return from injury of his fellow Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan meant there was no place for Shahzad in the one-day squad. That has all changed thanks to Sidebottom's hamstring problem. "It's just nice to be called up, and I hope if my chance comes I can grasp it with both hands," he said.