'A dream come true' – Wade celebrates Test comeback with maiden Ashes ton

Wade had last played a Test in September 2017 as Australia's wicket-keeper but a string of low scores saw him fall out of favour with the selectors. Subsequently, Wade decided to focus solely on batting – a move that has evidently reaped dividends as reflected by his fluent 110 on his Ashes debut in Edgbaston. Wade could hardly contain his joy.

"It probably hasn’t sunk in just yet," Wade said after play on Sunday. "First Test match of an Ashes series and to play was a dream come true, let alone to contribute to what we’re hoping will be a win in the first Test.

"It probably won’t sink in until after the game or maybe a few days when we’re playing a tour game (in Worcester) in a few days. But I’m proud of the way I soldiered on in the last few years, not knowing if I’d get another opportunity."

Following his exploits in the Sheffield Shield, where he scored 1021 runs at 60.05 for Tasmania, Wade proved his worth in English conditions by scoring 355 runs in four List A games for Australia A in their tour of the country.

"I am grateful to be here, and the celebration I am even more grateful to my wife for throwing me on the plane and telling me to come over and play the Australia A series, to hopefully get an opportunity to be in the position I am in," Wade said. "That’s what that was all about. I didn’t know if I would get another chance."

Walking in to bat at 205/4, with game pretty much in the balance, Wade stitched a 126-run stand with Steve Smith, who scored his second century of the match, to take the game away from England's grasp. He was then joined by his childhood friend Paine, with whom he not only grew up competing in fierce backyard battles, but also shares the dressing room while playing for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes.

As their camaraderie would have it, Wade celebrated his third Test ton with Paine batting at the other end. "Me and Tim grew up in a small little suburb called Lauderdale, 20 minutes out of Hobart, so we've played a few backyard Test matches, but it was nice to be out there in the middle playing a real one today.

"When he came off I said (to Paine) that was pretty cool."