A tiny cricket club buried in the English home counties toasted the sight of Tim Paine leading Australia out at The Oval, delighted to see one of their own on the biggest stage.
In 2015, Banbury Cricket Club in Oxfordshire, like many small teams, were looking to bring in an overseas professional to not only help them win matches but assist in developing their junior players along the way.
Club chairman Martin Phillips made contact with Paine after being put in touch with him through an agent and so began a close relationship that continues to this day.
"I don't think any of us, Tim included ever thought for a minute the future captain of Australia was coming to play for us," Philips told AAP.
"He came over with his then girlfriend and now wife Bonnie and lived in our house with me and my wife.
"I can only say what wonderful guests they were - it's a friendship I hope will continue for many years to come."
It would be an understatement to describe Paine's rise to the most prestigious role in Australian sport as something of a whirlwind.
This time last year the 33-year-old was on the verge of retirement after losing his job as Tasmania wicketkeeper to former Test stumper Matthew Wade.
But Australia selection chief Trevor Hohns controversially recalled him for the Ashes series last November ahead of Wade - seven years after his last Test appearance.
It proved to be an overwhelming success. Paine averaged 48 with the bat, took 25 catches and had a stumping in the 4-0 series win.
When the team was thrown into disarray following the ball tampering incident in South Africa that saw skipper Steve Smith suspended, Paine was the only viable choice for a team that had to rebuild its reputation both at home and overseas.
"I don't think Australia could have a more decent man to be their captain," Phillips said.
"He never acted the big star when he was here - even though he scored four or five centuries and is the best player we've ever had.
"His father runs an Aussie Rules team in Tasmania so he understood precisely what we are about and the challenges we face."
Paine admitted this week he is something of a cricket nuffie who loves mentoring players.
Although his side lost to England on Wednesday, the skipper spent the week working with his young pace bowlers and it appeared to work as they almost pulled off a stunning win.
Paine has also been widely praised by the British media for the way he has answered questions about the culture of the team.
"He is calm, level-headed individual and nothing seems to faze him and he is a great talker but also a great listener," said Phillips.
"Even when he left us he was still sending messages of support to our players, you don't hear of many overseas players doing that.
"I am a proud Englishman and I hate losing to Australia, but seeing Tim playing in the Ashes and doing so well made it a little more palatable.
"All of us at Banbury wish him the very best - his picture is on the wall in our clubhouse and he'd always be welcomed back here."
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