For a time Jake Ball looked as if he might be the latest in a long line of Australia fast bowlers to terrorise England.
But instead the Ascot-born Ball will try to inflict pain of a different kind on his homeland when he starts in the second row for Wales against England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Sunday.
Until the age of 16, Ball lived in Ascot, the commuter town south-west of London best known for its celebrated racecourse.
And it was there that Ball, whose father played rugby for London Welsh and Harlequins and was born in the north Wales town of Pwllheli, took his first steps in sport.
But after his family emigrated to Australia when he was 17, Ball made rapid progress, in every sense, as a tyro paceman.
However, he was still playing rugby as well and despite pleas from former Australia batsman Geoff Marsh and the looming possibility of a professional cricket contract, the now 22-year-old decided his heart was in the 15-man game.
Having trained with the Perth-based Western Force, the Scarlets were alerted to his progress and he joined the Welsh region on a trial.
He then overcame a knee injury as he forced his way into the Llanelli-based team and this Six Nations saw him make his Wales debut, off the bench, in a 26-3 thrashing by Ireland.
And a fortnight ago his first Test came in rushed fashion when, shortly before kick-off against France, lock Alun Wyn Jones pulled out with a foot infection.
However, Ball looked anything but out of place in two-time defending champions’ Wales 27-6 thumping win over ‘Les Bleus’ in Cardiff.
Now he will start against England after Luke Charteris pulled out with a neck injury on Friday.
“Luke copped the knock quite early in the week, so I was training in that starting role anyway,” said Ball.
“I think even when you are on the bench, you approach it as if you are going to start.
“Against France, it was quite a last-minute thing, which was quite nice to be honest.
“It didn’t give me a lot of time to think about it — I could just get out there and play.”
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