Toby Roland-Jones admits he was stunned by his England call-up the first Test with Pakistan, live on Sky Sports - and revealed he missed the phone call from the selectors.
The Middlesex fast bowler, one of the most prolific and consistent on the circuit in recent years, was the shock inclusion in the 12-man squad for the Lord's opener, which begins next Thursday.
Gary Ballance was recalled to the squad in place of Nick Compton, and Roland-Jones and Nottinghamshire's Jake Ball will battle it out to replace the injured James Anderson in the England attack.
The 28-year-old told Sky Sports News HQ: "I found out this [Thursday] morning. I missed the original call. I had a voicemail telling me I had some good news coming my way. I composed myself and called [national selector] James Whitaker back. It's a great feeling.
"It's been a special day and it's taking a little while to sink in."
Roland-Jones had not been given any indication from the selectors that he was even in the frame for a first Test call-up - and he had not thought he had a chance.
"I hadn't, no. I didn't have it on my radar in the slightest," he said. "It's always nice to be in form for the county. But without sounding too clichéd, I didn't have it on my mind.
"It was obviously an amazing surprise to have. It's something I'll never forget, that's for sure."
At 28, he admitted he thought his chances of an international debut had gone.
"You think there is always someone who is a little bit younger," he added. "At the moment there are a lot of young guys who are performing particularly well.
"So you don't want to get too carried away. I haven't been pushing - the way to get there is to go quietly go about your business and be consistent in taking wickets.
"I did feel at 28 that there might be someone else [England might turn to] but I'm delighted to get my chance. But I'd like to think that at 28 I know myself pretty well."
If Roland-Jones is selected ahead of Ball, he will make his England debut at his home ground, Lord's, where his knowledge of the famous slope will give him a distinct advantage.
"It's nice to have a ground you know," he said, "and having someone like Steven Finn in the squad will be nice as well - someone who I know very well and will help me out a little bit. But it's a squad of 12 and Jake Ball was picked in the last squad."