Matt Fisher is hoping to make his England debt after getting his first senior call-up for their tour of the West Indies and, if that dream becomes a reality, his family are set for a major windfall.
Back when he was 14, his mother and brothers bet £100 on him to one day play for England and, having been given odds of 50-1, they stand to earn £5,000 if he makes his Test debut in the Caribbean.
After being informed about the secret family bet, Fisher told the Daily Mail : "Oh, wow! I'd heard a rumour that something had gone on but I didn’t know the details. That’s amazing."
Fisher has long been touted for international honours, having made his Yorkshire debut in a 40-over game against Leicestershire at the age of 15, becoming the youngest post-war county cricketer in the process.
He also made his England Under-19s debut as a 15-year-old and, reflecting on his early rise, Fisher added: "Looking back now, it feels like that was someone else.
"When you are young, you feel invincible and take it in your stride. Everyone was like, 'He’s going to play for England, he’s going to do this, he’s going to do that'.
"I remember Michael Vaughan used to put me in his next World Cup team, next Ashes team. That all probably put pressure on me and led me to wanting it to happen so fast."
However, Fisher has seen his progress stunted by injuries over the years and he has now earned his first England call-up almost a decade after first bursting onto the scene as a teenager.
Last season, he picked up 20 wickets at an average of 19.65 in the County Championship, but only featured in five games for Yorkshire.
He was part of the England Lions squad which toured Australia this winter and he impressed, getting put on notice that he was on England's radar for a senior call-up.
"Naturally, you think, 'What are people thinking of this selection?' and there are many county bowlers with more wickets who probably feel hard done by," he admitted.
"But my attributes hopefully suit international cricket. My best asset is my skill level – swinging it and seaming it. I’ve also extended my run-up by about 10 feet and that has helped me with pace."
