Matthew Fisher was handed an unexpected debut in Barbados today after Craig Overton pulled out at the last minute.
The news means that Fisher's mum and brothers can collect £5000 from a bet they placed with the bookies that he would play for England when he was just fourteen.
The £100 bet was placed at 50-1 a decade ago, but the bookie must have feared paying out just 18 months later when he became the youngest player to play in a competitive county match at just 15.
The Yorkshire bowler admitted to the Daily Mail ahead of the tour that he didn't even know about the bet when he said: "Oh wow, that's amazing. I'd heard a rumour that something had gone on but I didn't know the details."
Getting picked in the squad was one thing, but the bet has been won now that Fisher gets his chance due to Overton's illness that is understood not to be covid related.
Overton woke up feeling lethargic and with no energy and told management he was in no fit state to take the field at the Kensington Oval.
And with both Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson considered unfit for the match, Fisher joined Saqib Mahmood in receiving an England Test cap in the presentation from Joe Root and Ben Stokes respectively.
Fisher was forced to wait a little while for his chance to open the bowling with Chris Woakes after Root won the toss and elected to bat on a sun-kissed morning in Barbados.
But when he does he will be desperate to try and emulate his hero Jimmy Anderson when he gets the chance, even if he is gutted neither Anderson nor Stuart Broad are here to offer advice.
Fisher added: "I’ve definitely modelled how I bowl on Jimmy. Even in games, sometimes if I am falling away, I try and think of Anderson’s action, just to get more side-on.
"For me, the disappointment is not being able to tour with them so I can chat to them about their experience. But I got time to speak to them on the Lions tour and they were really good with me.
"Since I first fell in love with cricket, they’ve been in the England team and have been incredible. They are massive role models and players you inspire to be half as good as."
Fisher will undoubtedly cast a thought or two to his late dad Phil, who passed away from bowel cancer when his son was just 14.
"It is probably the hardest thing someone can go through," said Fisher. "I don’t think I could have got through it without the support of my mum, brothers and the rest of my family.
"Dad is the biggest part of me getting to where I’ve got to. Mum was the one I’d go to about stuff at school, but with Dad it was all about cricket.
"When I am playing, that’s when I get the connection with him. When I do well, I feel an even stronger connection. I hold the ball up to the sky for Dad every time I get five wickets."
Travelling supporters at the ground will be hoping he can do just that in an England shirt soon.
Can you help underprivileged children experience the joy of cricket? Charity Bat for a Chance donates cricket kit to those most in need and is also fundraising. Find out more here
