The speed in which Alastair Cook was drafted into the England Test team in India from the A squad in the West Indies was matched only by how quickly he made an impression with the bat.
Now, seemingly just as promptly, he has been snapped up by fleet-footed marketing man.
The new England star is already reaping the benefits of being catapulted into the Test arena after signing a significant five-figure corporate sponsorship deal.
The Essex opener, who scored 60 and 104 not out on his senior debut against India last week, has agreed a contract to have the Standard Chartered Bank logo on the back of his bat - beginning in Thursday's second Test of a three-match series on the sub-continent.
Cook was only called into the full squad from the England A side touring the West Indies three days before the start of the first Test to fill gaps left by the departures of captain Michael Vaughan and Marcus Trescothick.
However, it is believed his representatives Paragon Sports Management - alert to the dream potential to spin money off the back their charge's astonishing success - negotiated a deal in double-quick time to ensure the 21-year-old, who has also secured a contract to write a national newspaper column, is on a par financially with some of his more experienced team-mates. ..SUPL:
