Adam Zampa has come a long way since making his first-class debut in 2012, when inevitable Shane Warne comparisons followed.
Zampa will play his first international on Saturday, with national selectors recognising the blonde legspinner's development over the previous three years.
Should he excel at the Cake Tin, a Twenty20 World Cup call-up is not out of the question.
Steve Smith will throw the ball to Zampa at some point in Wellington, hoping the 23-year-old can help Australia square the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
Usman Khawaja played against Zampa when the fiercely competitive tweaker made his one-day and Sheffield Shield debut for NSW.
Khawaja, who before shifting to Brisbane also used to be on Cricket NSW's books, couldn't help but smile at the turn of events.
"He used to bowl like Steven Smith and try to bat like Steven Smith," Khawaja laughed. "And looked a bit like Steven Smith as well.
"I've played a lot of cricket with him at NSW growing up ... he's come a long way from when he was younger."
It was Warne that Zampa was compared to by pundits after bursting onto the scene in the 2012-13 Big Bash League.
It's a burden that comes with being a well-performing legspinner in Australia and one Zampa learned to accept long ago.
"I know people have been talking about it but I know deep down it's a bit of a joke, really," Zampa told News Corp Australia in 2013.
"He's a one of a kind and I'm just a 21-year-old legspinner who's looking to learn.
"I've watched that many videos of Warne and Stuart MacGill on YouTube, it's not funny.
"There's the greatest moments of Shane Warne, which goes for about 15 minutes. I watched that one about 100 times - still do."
Khawaja, who squared off against Zampa in the recent BBL final, can't wait to see the young gun debut.
"He's a very good legspinner, got a lot of skills and he's a confident little chap," he said.
"I like him. I like to play with him and play against him."
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