James Anderson was considered an Ashes hack when he returned to Australia's shores three years ago.
Now, he's an Ashes maestro ready to lead England to a fourth straight series win over Australia.
Anderson endured a horror tour of Australia in 2006/07, snaring just five wickets at an average of 82.6 as England suffered a 5-0 whitewash.
Even when England won back the urn in 2009, Anderson performed poorly in claiming just 12 wickets an average of 45.16.
For the first six years of his Test career, Anderson had a knack of performing well in England but flailing abroad.
Anderson had a huge weight on his shoulders when he arrived in Australia ahead of the 2010/11 Ashes.
With Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff no longer in England's ranks, it was left to Anderson to lead the pace attack.
The perception was Anderson would crack under the mounting pressure.
Instead, he flourished, snaring 24 wickets at 26.04 to lead England to a famous series triumph.
Anderson is still the leader of England's pace pack, and his bowling coach David Saker predicts the 31-year-old will have another standout campaign.
"In the last visit over here, he broke the barrier that he wanted to break," Saker said.
"He wanted to prove to a lot of Australians that he could bowl well in all conditions.
"He came over here and had a fantastic series. Then he went to India and did a fantastic job for us.
"As far as pressure goes, he thrives under it. He thrives under the leadership banner.
"When he had Harmison and Flintoff around him, he just went about his business.
"But since he got that leadership role, he's become an (elite) bowler. I'm looking forward to him leading us again."
Victorian-born Saker, who has been England's bowling coach since 2010, played a big role in Anderson's transformation into the world-class paceman he is today.
Anderson and Stuart Broad are guaranteed starts in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane from November 21.
But the third seam spot is still up for grabs after Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin all failed to fire in last week's drawn tour game against a second-string WA side.
The trio combined for figures of 2-303 in WA's first innings, but Saker was pleased with their effort in the second dig.
"When you play your first warm-up game, there's some nerves there," Saker said.
"They all know they're playing for one spot, so there's a bit of apprehension.
"But as the game went on, there were some good signs from all of them."
England skipper Alastair Cook, batsman Kevin Pietersen, spinner Graeme Swann and paceman Broad are all set to return for the four-day tour match against Australia A in Hobart, starting on Wednesday.
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