Date-stamped : 29 Aug96 - 18:35 Knight takes leading role as England man for all seasons Mark Nicholas Lloyd`s listless team in urgent need of quick pick-me-up eve of the second Test against Pakistan at Headingley, three days before he made his first Test hundred. "I`m England`s No 6 - which isn`t bad - and doors open and close all the time in this game so it`s fine if I don`t open. I wouldn`t choose it but it`s fine." The night after the Test, which ended in a draw, his thoughts again turned to opening, and the one-day series. "I`d love to open, in the sort of pinch-hitter role I have for Warwickshire. I am used to it and am ready if asked." Today, in the first of three one-day internationals against Pak- istan, he gets his chance after England excluded Alistair Brown, the extravagant Surrey batsman. Brown is carefree and cocky in his play, obviously gifted but not so obviously organised. Knight is not that sort at all. Knight is undramatic, confident yet pragmatic. In his brief six-Test career, which began last summer against the West Indies, Knight has been chosen by England as an opener, as a middle-order batsman (possibly both in the same game if Alec Stewart spends too long in the wicketkeeper`s gloves) and as a one-day dasher. He has been trusted because he is an intelligent, versatile cricketer whose unfussy approach endears him to selec- tor and sidekick alike. This is not a man for frills, this is an efficient cricketer who listens well and learns fast and who relishes the opportunities created by an alert mind and considerable self-belief. By comparison with many colleagues, Nicholas Verity Knight, once of Essex now of Warwickshire, has had it easy. His family are outstanding at sport, dad played hockey for Great Britain, mum ran for the county, brother and sister are good at the lot. They are the comfortables from Cambridge, who sent the lad to Felsted Public School. He repaid them by leading English Schools at cricket, representing them at hockey and playing rugby for the Eastern Counties. "I guess I got lucky with sport in the blood, though the Verity bit in the name has caused some embarrassment," said Knight. "Headley Verity was a close relative on my father`s side, not that it has stopped the mickey-taking." He moved smoothly to Loughborough University and on to Essex. He didn`t get straight into the Essex side and only two seasons ago the struggle was still on for a regular place. "I was the fall guy at Essex," he said. "Whenever Graham Gooch came back from a Test I was the one left out. It was not a per- sonal thing with anyone there and I don`t say I should have played, just that I wanted to." Though Essex capped him, hinting at security, Warwickshire sensed his restlessness and made him a flattering offer. Cool as you like, Knight upped sticks from Chelmsford to Milton honey and much more money in the Midlands. Essex were gobsmacked, their pride punctured by an ambitious man who had had enough of prom- ises and went to where the glory was at the top of the order and the freedom to express himself. "I was the fall guy at Essex," he said. "Whenever Graham Gooch came back from a Test I was the one left out. It was not a per- sonal thing with anyone there and I don`t say I should have played, just that I wanted to. "I agonised over the decision but was convinced by my family and by Gordon Barker, my coach, who pushed me over the line. Mo- ney had nothing to do with it, just a guarantee of first XI cricket at a club where I was wanted unconditionally." It worked a treat. Warwickshire and their prize were peas in a pod. Imaginative cricket set around clear game plans suited Knight, who responded to his free rein, especially in the one-day game, by uncovering a fast eye and a surprising range of stroke. "I found myself being able to dominate the opposition, which was a role reversal for me and a reflection of Dermot Reeves` en- couragement to us all to practice attacking in the nets and to go for it in the middle. I`ve learnt a great deal at Warwickshire. Anything goes if you are properly prepared, if not, Dermot would say his piece," said Knight. Warwickshire have yet to announce a replacement for Reeve, though Tim Munton is the bookmakers` certainty with Knight a candidate for the job of deputy. Were he not likely to be away with England he would quite probably get it. Munton is a great fan of Knight. "We knew we were getting a good player with Nick but everything else about him has impressed too. He is a brilliant, all-round athletic fielder and has an excep- tional cricket brain, which is ideal for leadership," he said. Knight likes the idea - England may like it too if Michael Ather- ton can one day manage no more - but he is keen to mark time on it while his batting take shape. No question, then, Knight is a top-class cricketer. Is he a Test match batsman, though? At Old Trafford last year it was tempting to say no, not that Ambrose and Walsh were a breeze for a 25- year-old debutant. "It was an awesome experience," he says, "but I didn`t expect an easy ride and was pleased to get through the new ball." At Trent Bridge, in the next Test, he played well for 57. "Those runs," he added, "were a huge thing. I batted until tea and learned many things about patience and technique which have helped me this season." Knight was pleased with his 51 opening the batting in the first Test at Lord`s and ecstatic about his musketeering hundred at Headingley ("the best innings I`ve played") which came after two broken fingers in the first half of the season and the mildly de- flating news that Stewart would open the batting. Knight knows that the odd technical deficiency, most notably in his back foot movement to the fast bowlers, is prompting a few "we`ll sees" from the pundits but he is relying on the strong mental side of his game to see him to the end of the season, when he can have a breather before migrating to the indoor school and sorting it out. As England search for the team to greet the Australians next sum- mer, Knight`s name is linked with phrases such as "good attitude, positive in the dressing-room, improving talented batter and tough competitor," which all suggest a cricketer on course. He is certainly "the right stuff" and these three Texaco Trophy matches may well confirm as much. Source :: Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)