By choosing Knight ahead of Steve James the selectors admit they made a Horlicks of it at Lord's; by dint of Mark Butcher's minor but inhibiting thumb injury they now have the ideal blend of right and left-handed - and defence to handle the Pollock-Donald attack which snuffed out England at Lord's.
Knight is in ripping form, having made three hundreds in his last four innings, and has played with both the South African fast bowlers for Warwickshire, so will not be in awe of their threat. Right now he is confident without being cocky, comfortable with his game without for a minute thinking he has cracked it, and is eager to illustrate why he should be carded as a matter of course rather than as an alternative. His ambition remains intense but the intensity in his character has softened.
``I still want to be in every team but I'm no longer shocked if I'm not,'' he says. ``Now I reflect on how to get back and apply those reflections to net practice and to mental preparation. The key is to keep playing naturally, if the odd fault is there, fine, bat on with it and try to sort things out next time in practice. You'll never get runs without a clear head. To get back into international cricket you've got to forget about international cricket and get on with your life.''
He averages more than 30 in 11 Tests, which is modest but not unpromising. He has scored one splendid hundred, batting at No 6 against Pakistan two summers ago, and four fifties. He also takes on the new ball in one-day cricket with such breath- taking abandon. In early exchanges he has hit Wasim Akram for six over extra cover, and Curtly Ambrose for six, off the front foot, over midwicket. He says that promotion to open in one-day cricket with the field-placing restrictions encouraged him to take the sort of risks which he believes are best for the team.
So how easy is it to adapt to more orthodox play for the longer game? ``Well I wouldn't say that this was my natural tempo. I do like to be aggressive, though, because all the bowlers I talk to prefer bowling to batsmen who don't take them on.
``I think my tempo is based on the quality of the pitch. If it's flat I look to 'get in' and then score quickly so our bowlers have time to take wickets [he made 192 in a day against Lancashire last week]. If the pitch is difficult I'll pull the reins in - at Bristol two weeks ago against Walsh and Smith I batted 30 overs for 14 runs, so I guess I haven't got the tempo thing properly worked out yet.''
He is aware of his flaws but does not dwell on them. His sensible appraisal is: ``I know I mustn't move too early or too far across the crease. I don't get it right all the time, but it's coming.''
His good sense in general and his sharp cricket brain have impressed Warwickshire and impressed his team-mates on England's 'A' tour to Sri Lanka last winter. His captaincy improved, he thought, as the tour went on. He was ``chuffed'' to win the unofficial three-Test series 2-0 and relished the necessary enthusiasm and involvement of leadership.
There is a breadth and freshness to his personality which, mixed with a considerable strength of character, might make for a captain of England in time, once his place in the team is secured. His brilliant fielding is an inspiration in itself, his approach to batting is a guide to his sense of adventure.
Barry Richards thinks England have chosen well. He says: ``Being left-handed is a clear advantage against Donald. I feel England need authority at the top of their order, Knight's technical deficiencies are outweighed by his approach and style.''
``Very flattering,'' says Knight. ``I hope he's right. I've got my chance again. No one else but me can make the most of it.''