Nick Compton bucked the trend of a young touring Ashes party as a mature age debutant at the top of the order.
Replacing the departing English skipper Andrew Strauss, the 29-year-old has enjoyed a moderate start to his budding career, which already includes two Test centuries.
The retirement of Strauss, coupled with the ongoing absence of Kevin Pietersen left England in need of a top-order batsman.
It didn’t take long for them to find their man, as Compton dominated the County season like few had done before him.
His 2012 campaign for Somerset was frighteningly unrivalled. The 1,494 runs he scored were always going to be enough to get him into the Test side, but selectors would have been further impressed by his Bradman-like average of 99.6.
Compton was given the daunting task of making his debut in the unique conditions in the subcontinent. After a tough initiation, the opener allayed any fears of his technique with 74 and 79 in the final tour match against Haryana.
It was a torrid first Test for both Compton and his teammates, as India strolled to a crushing nine wicket win. Compton started out with a painstakingly measured 9 (53) before adding 37 (128) in the second innings.
Compton posted his maiden half-century in the third Test as England went on to win the match and the series in historic circumstances.
He played his last Test in 2016 against Sri Lanka at Lord's and he couldn't add to the two Test centuries. It looks likely that we have seen the last of Compton in England colours.
