Stuart Broad was up on his feet and cheering with the rest of Nottinghamshire when Alex Hales posted his maiden One-Day International century - now England's Ashes hero is backing the 26-year-old to open the batting in Test cricket.
Four Nottinghamshire players have been included in the squad for South Africa, making them the most represented county, and Broad praised the work of the Club's coaching staff in readying players for international cricket.
“It’s testament to the hard work the coaching staff at Nottinghamshire have put in,” said Broad.
“They work extremely hard with the players, not just to win games for Notts, but also to up the standard of players to try and play for England.
“Alex Hales averaged over 50 in the championship last year and deserves what looks like his chance at the top of the order - and James Taylor has been such a consistent performer that he deserves a good run.
“Obviously, in Dubai and Sharjah, Samit Patel worked so hard. He played the last Test match and it was great to see him switch his mind onto really working hard on his fitness and skills. He really deserves the call-up.”
The position alongside Alastair Cook at the top of the England Test order is up for grabs with the captain having already been partnered with eight different players since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012.
Broad has backed his Nottinghamshire teammate to succeed where Nick Compton, Joe Root, Michael Carberry, Sam Robson, Jonathan Trott, Adam Lyth and Moeen Ali have failed.
“He (Hales) got his first hundred for England the other day and everyone in Nottinghamshire jumped up,” Broad said. “It was great to see his hard work get the reward.
“He did average over 50 last year and it’s great to see selectors giving county cricketers credit for that.
“He didn’t open in the UAE because we went down a different route, but it’s there for him now.
“James Whitaker said they’re looking for Alex to open and hopefully he’ll go well in the warm-up games.”
The 2015 season has seen dramatic last-gasp four day victories, thrilling limited-overs contests and an historic Investec Ashes Test, all in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge.
Next season, we’d wager, will be no less enthralling and frankly we’d hate for you to miss out.