By Matt Somerford & Callum Dent
Gary Ballance has hardly missed a beat in his fledgling Test career as he has established himself as England's number three with the type of calm and assurance required at such a key position in the batting line-up.
The 25-year-old became the third-fastest England player to 1,000 Test runs during the second match against West Indies in Grenada - reaching the landmark from just 17 innings.
Only Herbert Sutcliffe (12) and Sir Leonard Hutton (16) - both former Yorkshire top-order batsmen themselves - got there quicker and if Ballance could go somewhere near replicating their celebrated careers England will be in safe hands.
There are, of course, many challenges to come yet for the left-hander, but he has made a hugely encouraging start with four centuries in his first 10 Tests at an average over 67.
Here we take a look at some of Ballance's highlights in an albeit young career so far:
:: Century in his first Test on English soil against Sri Lanka at Lord's
As England's top-order fell around him Ballance ensured a healthy first-innings advantage was built upon before accelerating late to bring up his maiden hundred with a six off Rangana Herath in the final over of the fourth day.
:: Second hundred in as many matches at Lord's, versus India
The left-hander followed up his ton against Sri Lanka with another century at Lord's, in the defeat to India, to become the third England batsman, after Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott, to make two consecutive hundreds in their first two contests at the home of cricket.
::A second successive ton in his first Test win at the Ageas Bowl
Ballance paved the way for England's turnaround in the Investec series against India as he hit a career-best 156 on the opening day and joined captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell in century stands.
::First Test hundred overseas, against West Indies in Antigua
A fourth Test hundred, and first overseas, in nine matches for Ballance arrived in Antigua. The Yorkshire batsman's second-innings 122 helped the tourists set West Indies an unlikely 438 to win, sharing a 114-run fourth-wicket partnership with county team-mate Joe Root.
::Third-fastest England player to compile 1,000 Test runs
Ballance's heavy scoring continued in Grenada with 77 and 81 not out, becoming the third-fastest England player to make 1,000 Test runs. Again he teamed up with Root, who made an unbeaten 182, in a stand of 165 in the first innings before steering England to victory, his first Test win overseas, with an unbroken 142-run alliance with Cook.
