When James Pattinson hit the winning run for Notts Outlaws in the Royal London One Day Cup final in 2017, he could not have known of the nightmare which was to follow.
Pattinson was brilliant for Notts that summer as he tore through Division Two batting line-ups and then helped win the 50-over final at Lord's.
He would not play again for 16 months though after undergoing what was described as a last ditch operation to tackle a recurring stress fracture of the back.
Pattinson recovered and took the Sheffield Shield by storm as Victoria won the final last month with the 28-year-old taking seven for 71 against New South Wales.
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Now he is back at Notts ready for another three month stint which he will hope leads to a place in Australia's Ashes squad.
Pattinson admits to having doubts he would ever play again and there is a suggestion of uncertainty as to if he is the bowler who took 32 wickets at 12.06 in five Championship matches for Notts.
"I suppose when you have something like that there are doubts. Other players have had the same thing, so I was confident I would come out the other side," he said.
"Those doubts were there though, so it was great to get back playing some first-class cricket in Australia with my home state.
"I probably tried to push myself too much last time I was here. If I can take anything from last time here, it's that I might need those longer breaks between games.
"I need a de-load perhaps more often than push through all year round. I've got some help with a bit of metal in my back now.
"It's promising signs at the moment. My back feels as good as it ever has in every day terms.
"I've pulled up fine after a long flight. Sometimes it's taken me two or three days to loosen up, but that wasn't the case this time.
"It's early days bowling wise. I've been managed how much I can bowl in Shield cricket. I've not tested my back out fully to see how many overs it can cope with, but I'll get chance to do that.
"I've got one day games to get going here. It's good because you only have those 10 overs in a game."
Pattinson was meant to be eligible for seven Championship games, leaving Notts after the fixture against Surrey which begins on July 13.
However, he has been called up to the Australia A squad for their tour of England, with the first fixture on June 20.
Notts are now speaking with Cricket Australia to address the matter, but it is possible Pattinson's stay will be disappointingly cut short.
Pattinson is set to make his first Notts appearance this summer in Friday's Royal London One Day Cup opener against Lancashire at Trent Bridge.
"I caught a taxi from the airport and I thought I might not have ever got back here. Last time I had success with a fantastic group of guys," he said.
"It was always a goal to get back and play some good cricket here. It's fantastic to be back.
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"I love playing in England. I didn't play a heap of cricket this summer.
"It's beneficial for me to play games here. Not having an Australian contract perhaps made it easier to get here.
"There's lots of new faces and a good feeling around the group. We've got some really good players, both new and from before.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time here last time. Hopefully I can contribute again."
As for his Ashes prospects, Pattinson played those questions with a straight bat, even if he is undoubtedly hoping to add to his 17 Test caps.
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"I'm not sure. There's a long way before the Ashes," he said.
"There's a World Cup before then. I think I'm here for three months.
"It's about playing cricket and building my loads up. I didn't bowl a heap in the Shield. I think the most I bowled was 28 overs in a match.
"I need to see how I cope with more overs and I'll get plenty of chances to bowl here."
