One was a veteran looking his shoulder - the other was considered a mere fill-in.
Now Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh find themselves muttered in the same breath as Don Bradman.
The unlikely pair almost leapfrogged The Don in the record books in a 449-run stand in the first Test against the West Indies on Friday in Hobart.
Marsh eventually went for a Test-high 182.
Voges was 269 not out when Australia's first innings was declared at 4-583.
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Considered fringe players not so long ago, Voges and Marsh are suddenly rubbing shoulders with the greats.
The accidental heroes broke the Test fourth-wicket record.
They overtook the 437 partnership of Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera against Pakistan in 2009.
It was also the biggest Test stand in Australia and sixth largest overall.
But it was another mark that arguably put their stunning achievement in perspective.
They fell just two runs short of the highest Test partnership by Australia - a record still held by the legendary Bradman.
Incredibly, only The Don and Bill Ponsford (451) have scored more runs in an Australian Test partnership - 81 years ago in England.
"It was brilliant. That partnership was unbelievable," Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon gushed of their heroics.
"It's a credit to them the way they went about it."
It added another chapter to their remarkable tale.
Voges made his first-class debut 13 years ago but did not earn a baggy green until June on this year's tour of the Windies.
He averaged more than 70 in the recent three-Test series against New Zealand.
But at 36, Voges admitted he was looking over his shoulder with youngsters such as Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw on the rise.
He might be breathing easier now.
His knock peppered by 33 fours was the highest Test score against the Windies and 10th biggest overall by an Australian.
He also set a new Hobart Test highest score.
But the selectors still face plenty of anxious moments thanks to Marsh's first Test ton on home soil.
Marsh had been considered a fill-in for Usman Khawaja, due to make a Boxing Day Test return.
Khawaja's hamstring injury in the second Test in Perth last month was the only reason why Marsh received a national call-up - for the sixth time.
Yet it seems the baggy green now sits comfortably on Marsh, after his 266-ball knock featuring 15 fours and a six.
Out-of-sorts opener Joe Burns might be the odd man out in Melbourne.
At stumps on a rain-hit day two, the Windies were 6-207 with Darren Bravo not out 94.
They trail Australia by 376 runs.
