Nick Knight feels he is playing the best cricket ofhis career but says the Test selectors aren't interested.

Speaking candidly a few days before the five-match one-day series begins at Christchurch, Knight said: "When I finished the tour here in 1996-97, I was struggling technically [he averaged 14 in four innings] and it was fair enough that I was left out after that series. But since then I feel my game has come on a lot. The unfortunate thing is that now I'm playing my best cricket, they're looking elsewhere."

Since being dropped after that 2-0 series win in New Zealand, Knight has played just six Tests and averaged only 14.58. The desire, though, is stronger than ever. "I would love to play Test cricket again," he says with real feeling, even if time seems to be passing him by. "I'm just concentrating on the one-dayers," he added, a touch wistfully.

But even his role in sky blue isn't one he takes for granted, particularly after being ditched on the eve of the 1999 World Cup. "To have played all the games prior to the competition," he remembers, "and then on the eve of it to be dropped was a massive, massive disappointment." Knight made way for Nasser Hussain – and England flopped. "It makes this one doubly important."

Knight's role has changed subtly since then. Until the emergence of Marcus Trescothick, he was England's designated dasher in the first 15 overs, using his feet to cart the fast bowlers over mid-on and flashing airily over cover. But Trescothick cudgelled so effectively in Zimbabwe and India, where he scored at more than a run a ball, that Knight has had to reassess his gameplan. "If he's hitting it better than me and I'm maybe struggling around a bit, then it's up to me to give him the strike," he admits. "But it's up to both of us to try and use the first 15."

There is a little confusion here. Knight claims he still tries to play his natural game, and yet he talks of giving Trescothick the strike, which doesn't quite add up. Still, as long as one of them makes runs, it doesn't matter. And after a ropey start together during the disastrous NatWest series in 2001, they have failed at the same time only once in 11 starts: at Cuttack Knight made 14, Trescothick 13.

Knight acknowledged that New Zealand presents a different challenge to India: "We had to spend a little bit of time getting used to the pace and the bounce." But nothing had prepared them for the once-in-a-lifetime whirlwind effort from Simon Doull, who yesterday slogged 80 from 47 balls. "I've never seen anyone play like that," said Knight. "Tendulkar and Sehwag are one thing, but Simon Doull is another. He was opening the bowling last time I was here!

"We've got to sit down and work out how to counter that. It does happen and it's huge area of the game. As you could see from last night, we hadn't got a plan, and we've got to make sure we've got one." Knight is honest and articulate, thoughtful and approachable, which makes him sound like captaincy material. But for the moment he's just concentrating on keeping his place. "If you keep scoring, then they can't drop you," he remarks pragmatically. He's the sort of man who makes you want him to do well.

Lawrence Booth is assistant editor of Wisden.com. His reports will appear here throughout England's tour of New Zealand.

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