Three years ago, spinner Michael Beer used a tour match against England to catapult himself into Australia’s Test squad.

Now, he needs another strong showing against the old enemy just to break back into Western Australia’s first-choice Sheffield Shield outfit.

Beer will captain the WA Chairman’s XI against England this week after being overlooked for the Warriors’ Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.

Rising star Ashton Agar has been given first crack to establish himself as WA’s frontline spinner, but Beer is desperate to win back his spot.

When England played WA in 2010, Beer snared five wickets – including the scalps of Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen – to announce himself on the Australian scene.

Less than two months later, Beer made his Test debut in the fifth match of the Ashes series, which England won by an innings and 83 runs to wrap up a 3-1 series triumph.

Beer has only been able to add one more Test to his resume since then.

And although the 29-year-old Victorian remains an important cog of WA’s one-day and Twenty20 sides, Agar’s rapid rise means Beer faces a fight to earn back his Shield place this summer.

Beer hopes a swag of wickets in the three-day tour match against England, starting at the WACA Ground on Thursday, will help push his case for a Shield recall.

“If you can make runs or take wickets against one of the best sides in the world, it can definitely go on your resume going forward,” Beer said.

“Taking wickets is my currency to get back into the side.

“On top of that, it’s a great opportunity to show my leadership as a captain.”

Beer is looking forward to the game against England after his recent hectic schedule of T20 cricket in India and then Australia’s domestic one-day cup.

“Hopefully I won’t be fetching as many out of the crowd, which is what happened in north Sydney and in India,” Beer said with a laugh.

“It’s been about 10 months since I’ve played a first-class game.

“It will be nice to get out there in the white clothes and the red ball. That’s something I’m looking forward to.”

WA allrounder Mitch Marsh has recovered from a hamstring injury and will also front up against England in the tour match.

The 22-year-old has lost five kilograms in recent months in a bid to avoid any more hamstring issues down the track.