Mark Butcher's insecurities about his future at domestic and international level spurred him to another sparkling performance and guided England to a commanding total in the opening Test against Zimbabwe.
Despite a century in his previous Test at Sydney last January and an impressive record for his country over the last couple of years, Butcher's place has been under scrutiny with the movement for change gathering momentum.
He survived this time with the selectors handing Test debuts to Anthony McGrath and James Anderson and, as if to emphasise his value to the side, responded by hitting a brilliant 137 which helped England score a formidable 472.
That total was aided by an impressive maiden innings of 69 from Yorkshire captain McGrath, the first England player to score a half-century on his debut since Marcus Trescothick three years ago, which bristled with confidence and determination.
If McGrath's impressive display was not vindication enough for England's brave selection policy, Anderson underlined the rewards of their bold approach by overcoming a nervous start to claim a wicket with his 20th delivery and help reduce Zimbabwe to 48 for one by the close of the second day.
But it was Butcher who had earlier set the standards for their impressive batting display, progressing from 52 overnight to score a brilliant century having been given more than his share of good fortune on the opening day when he survived a confident lbw appeal on 10 and then was dropped on 36.
There was no need for any assistance today, though, with Butcher dominating the Zimbabwe attack from the moment he cut Andy Blignaut for four in the opening over of the day, to the moment he was brilliantly caught by Mark Vermeulen at mid-on to end over six hours at the crease.
His performance was all the more impressive because of the composure he showed in taking his time to reach three figures, racing to 99 with three boundaries in four balls off Sean Ervine and waiting patiently for a further two overs before driving down the ground for the single he required.
Neither Robert Key, who is still attempting to establish himself in England's middle order after a promising Ashes series, or Alec Stewart were able to demonstrate the same mastery as Butcher and were both dismissed after edging Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak behind to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu.
That gave McGrath the opportunity to express his undoubted talents, starting slowly before showing the confidence to also hit Ervine for three boundaries in an over, starting with a clip off his legs through mid-wicket followed by a classic cover drive off the next delivery before pulling for another four two balls later.
Butcher fell shortly afterwards, marching down the pitch to Price to clip through mid-on only for Vermeulen to claim a brilliant diving catch to leave McGrath with the responsibility of batting with England's tail.
It was a task he relished and aided by Ashley Giles' best ever England display with the bat - having already been dropped on three at slip - they were able to add 66 valuable runs for the seventh wicket.
McGrath's attempt to become the first England batsman to score a century on debut since Graham Thorpe 10 years earlier was halted 31 runs prematurely when Ervine claimed his revenge by bowling him off his pads, but the example he had set clearly rubbed off on Giles.
He blasted his way to a determined 52 off 80 balls, and with Matthew Hoggard entertaining with some unorthodox shots at the other end, England's impetus was maintained.
Hoggard fell in farcical circumstances when Dion Ebrahim claimed a catch at square leg which was refereed to third umpire Neil Mallender, who gave the benefit of doubt to the fielder only for the scoreboard operator to press the wrong button and give the Yorkshire seamer a reprieve.
His dismissal was confirmed moments later by Mallender to the on-field officials and Andy Blignaut bowled Giles to end the innings and give England 20 overs to make inroads into Zimbabwe's line-up and strengthen their grip on the Test.
Lancashire seamer Anderson, whose performances during the World Cup this winter earmarked him for fast-tracking into the Test team, seemed excessively nervous and his first over cost 17 including two no-balls.
But he regained his composure to bowl opener Vermeulen in his second over, a full-length delivery which nipped back through the gate to hit his stumps, to give England the upper hand for the third day.