With Ben Stokes inspiring two of English cricket's greatest ever moments, it was inevitable he would be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The 28-year-old had not one but two career highlights in the space of a couple of months last summer, rising to the occasion on the biggest stages of all.
Not satisfied with leading England to World Cup glory in an astonishing Super Over win over New Zealand at Lord's, he then breathed new life into his side's Ashes bid with a remarkable century at Headingley that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
That was evidenced when he neither raised his bat nor removed his helmet upon reaching his century. There was still a job to do, with 33 runs still required, and only when it was completed did Stokes unleash his emotions.
"I looked at the bigger picture," he said. "There was still a lot more runs to get. Personal milestones, especially in that situation, mean absolutely nothing.
"I was not bothered about how many runs I was on, it was all about making sure we got over the line. I did not really care to be honest."
But he could do nothing to deflect the praise that came his way on Sunday night when he became the first cricketer since England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in 2005 to win the prestigious BBC award.
