After almost letting it slip through his gloves, Brad Haddin eventually secured his slice of history on an eventful final day of the Ashes.
Haddin breaks Marsh's world record
Amid the drama of a controversial finish at The Oval and the jubilation of England's series win, Haddin quietly notched a significant milestone as he broke Rod Marsh's world record for most dismissals in a five-Test series.
Before lunch Haddin had moved to within one of equalling Marsh's 28 catches in the 1982-83 series against England.
But he had a moment to forget after the break as he wasted a chance to pull level when he dropped a regulation catch after James Anderson edged Peter Siddle.
Haddin was gifted another opportunity by Anderson in the next over and this time didn't let it go to waste.
Michael Clarke's declaration at tea allowed Haddin a chance to go past the record and he did so in the second innings when he dismissed Joe Root off the bowling of Ryan Harris.
Marsh was on hand to applaud the achievement.
"I'm delighted for Brad," Marsh said.
"I just wish he had have broken it by plenty more which probably would have meant we also won the series."
Haddin, 35, lost his place in the Test side to Matthew Wade but the determined New South Welshman earned a fulltime recall when he was named vice captain for the Ashes.
"It's good for the old boy," Clarke said of Haddin's record.
"It's great to see him playing well. He's really kept well throughout the series and I'm extremely pleased for him."