Nottinghamshire's Ajmal Shahzad sure of regaining England place

Nottinghamshire bowler Ajmal Shahzad is convinced his move from Yorkshire will see him win back his England place.

The 27-year-old has played one Test and has also made 14 international appearances in one-day games.

But his last England match came in February 2011.

"I am massively motivated to get back there and I know if I put some performances together, stay fit and strong I will get back there," he told BBC East Midlands Today.

"I want to be in and around top-class players and want to improve and raise my game and be around all the England boys.

"Alex Hales, James Taylor and Samit Patel have all gone to the next level now - where I was - and hopefully they can brush off on me and I can raise my game and put in some performances.

"If I can be there and thereabout with those boys then I can push for a spot in the England A squad and the England Test and one-day squad. That's my aim."

Shahzad's sole Test outing came in the innings victory over Bangladesh at Old Trafford in 2010, where he took 3-45 in the first innings.

He was a non-playing member of the England squad that won the Ashes in Australia in 2010-11 and was also part of the 2011 World Cup squad.

"I drifted away from the England set-up after getting a few injuries," he added. "Performance-wise I don't think I did anything wrong. I have had a taste and it's hurt not being involved.

"I want to get back, I have that experience and the maturity. I need to put some performances together, show the selectors what I am all about as I did when I first got in there."