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When it seemed he would never fit the dimensions of the New Zealand cricket team, Tim McIntosh turned to carpentry and a possible future in the building industry.
But constructing an innings has always had priority for the 29-year-old Aucklander and now, after 11 seasons of first class experience, the left handed batsman has finally broken through to the elite level.
While fellow opening batsman Jamie How muses the vagaries of test cricket as he struggles to find form, McIntosh made a solid start to his international career against the West Indies at University Oval last week.
His test debut was a long time coming and fittingly so did his first run - an interminable wait of 38 deliveries before he got off the mark.
That McIntosh did not appear unduly worried while he let ball after ball pass harmlessly outside off stump indicated one of the virtues that has ultimately seen him given a chance so many before him have squandered - the opportunity to become a long-term solution at the top of the order.
McIntosh made a circumspect 34 in his debut innings, a rare show of aggression initiating his downfall in the deep. In the second dig he survived a testing 10-over period before stumps to make 24 - his final score after the fifth day was washed out.
He has an inflated average of 58 heading into tomorrow's second and final test at McLean Park in Napier because he was dropped two balls before the close of play on Sunday - the sort of lucky break How would gladly accept.
McIntosh's sheer weight of runs this domestic season - he has already scored a century and 191 in the State Championship - convinced the selectors he might succeed where the Marshall brothers Hamish and James, Mathew Sinclair, Lou Vincent, Michael Papps, Craig Cumming, Matthew Bell and most recently Aaron Redmond have been tried and discarded in recent years.
By amassing 349 runs at 69.80 for Auckland in the 2008-09 season, McIntosh put himself in the frame while his 58 against the tourists was the strongest signal yet he was equipped for the step up.
For all his runs at provincial level, finally moving off a dreaded duck in Dunedin will be one of his fondest memories.
"It played on my mind a bit. I looked up at one stage and saw 30 balls had gone and I hadn't scored a run.
"I felt I was seeing it well but I probably felt I didn't get a ball to actually cash in on. It was certainly pleasing to get that first run," he said.
It was also satisfying to hold his nerve while he could not quite pierce the field. Patience was, and is, the key.
"As an opener you've got to get through the new ball, the first 20 balls are hardest.
"Once you manage that, you're looking to bat time to get through. If I can get a start and build an innings I should be able to capitalise and get a hundred," he said.
McIntosh batted 2-1/2 hours for his 34 and satisfied another selection criteria - he formed an important partnership with newly promoted No 3 Daniel Flynn - 87 for second wicket.
Given he has been around the domestic scene since 1998-99 and has 4118 runs in the bank, McIntosh did not feel totally overawed when facing the first ball of the test.
His long apprenticeship "has certainly helped," he said, adding: "I feel the form I've come into the series with has stood me in good stead."
McIntosh credited former 35-test opener Matt Horne, who is now on the coaching staff at Auckland, with helping finesse his batting plan.
"He's worked with me quite closely, and as he's a former opening batsman that's been useful," he said.
"He's helped immensely - I have a huge respect for someone who was a quality player and has offered his skills."
McIntosh, meanwhile, never lost faith his chance might come despite not being considered test quality until this summer.
"If you consistently score runs, if you put those numbers up consistently, you're putting yourself in the spotlight."
- NZPA
