Jacob Bethell began the Ashes series out of form and England's XI but will end it by providing the beleaguered tourists a bright glimpse into their future.
Bethell was unbeaten on 142 at stumps on day four of the Ashes series finale at the SCG, where England are 119 runs ahead and clinging desperately to slim hopes of victory.
At the close on day three, Bethell had conceded England's big-name players were beginning to tire physically and mentally after a tough tour.
The 22-year-old excluded himself from that group given he only came in for the fourth Test after previous No.3 Ollie Pope was axed.
But Wednesday's breakthrough century was the latest indication Bethell will be one of the big guns by the next time England face Australia for the Ashes urn in 2027.
Barbadian-born Bethell was cautious, teetering on 99 runs for three overs, before raising his bat after lifting Beau Webster past deep mid-wicket for four around 4.15pm.
"It's not comparable, really. It's pretty special," Bethell said when asked how the century compared to previous career achievements.
Bethell became only the 47th player to score a maiden first-class century in a Test match, joining superstars Kumar Sangakkara, Jason Gillespie and Jason Holder in the elite club.
He is also the first English specialist batter in history to do so.
Bethell was just the third man since the start of the 20th century to hit a maiden first-class century in an Ashes Test, behind Ian Healy and Jack Russell.
The natural question is what might have been had left-hander Bethell been given a chance at first drop while the series was live.
He needed to wait until Melbourne for his chance with Pope making only one score above 40 in the three Tests before that.
But Bethell felt he hadn't earned a spot in the XI to begin the tour.
"I think it was actually a blessing, I actually wasn't batting that well at the start of the series," Bethell said.
"Then I played some cricket over here and played that Lions (tour) game and throughout the month-and-a-half before playing, I actually felt my batting was in a better spot.
"It was actually quite nice timing."
On Wednesday, Bethell was called to the crease with England in dire straits, having lost opener Zak Crawley in the fifth ball of the first over while still 179 runs behind Australia's formidable first-innings total of 567.
By the time Bethell reached triple figures, the tourists were 30 runs ahead.
England's most prolific Test batter Joe Root is the only other man to have scored a century for the visitors on a tour largely defined by the difference in quality between the sides' batting orders.
He was made to work hard for his ton, notably wearing a Cameron Green bouncer on his helmet and falling to the ground just before lunch.
Bethell equalled his previous Test highscore of 96 with a four off Michael Neser past deep mid-wicket early in the final session.
He survived a big LBW appeal three balls later before charging down the wicket to put Webster's off-spin away and raising his bat.
