Few cricketers would have opened their career with an unbeaten 200, and Englefield has the satisfaction of his top score being against an international side.

That unforgettable innings should help launch Englefield, 18, into the first-class arena this season after being an age group batting prodigy.

He hopes the last season, spent at the Academy, has readied him mentally and physically for the next step.

Englefield said a recent batting tip from Martin Crowe helped focus his thoughts on making the memorable milestone. ``Martin was at the Academy the week before and said cricket at top level was all about time at the crease and batting long periods.''

Englefield survived a straightforward chance at 14, and then made Pakistan A pay occupying the crease for almost six hours, facing 265 balls and hitting 23 fours and a six. ``It's a great track to bat on, like State Highway 1, so if you get in you want to make the most of it,'' Englefield said of the Lincoln Green strip. He then made 8 and 40 in his first-class debut against the visitors in the three-day game.

He said he had enjoyed his time at the Academy and the work done with specialists like Gilbert Enoka (mental strategist) and Ashley Ross (biomechanist). ``I used to get very nervous and a bit overawed playing against some name players, but Gilbert has helped us work through that.''

Englefield could be in for a big season as he is likely to captain the New Zealand Youth team again in its home series against England in February. England won the World Youth Cup one-day title beating New Zealand in the final.

Englefield has spent four seasons in the youth side, and was in the team (1996) which beat England in the test series, 1-0, and shared the one-dayer series in England. Englefield had a top score of 159 on the tour. His cricket career will continue after the New Zealand season closes having signed to play with a Scunthorpe club, Appleby, in the Yorkshire league later this year.