Steve Smith is back, baby.
Two weeks after boldly declaring as much, Australia's wonder bat delivered on his own prophecy with a brilliant double-century against Wests Indies in the first Test of the summer.
Smith was faultless, brilliant and every other superlative in his finest Test innings since the 2019 Ashes, with his unbeaten 200 helping Australia to 4-598 declared in Perth.
It was Smith's first Test innings since claiming he had found the "ultimate" set up with his batting: Closing off his stance, limiting his movement pre-delivery and opening up the face of his bat with his grip.
And while West Indies' bowling started flat and grew even less threatening on a dry wicket, it will be the promise of what is ahead for Smith that will excite Australia most.
Pat Cummins' men have South Africa to come after the Frank Worrell Trophy, before significant Test tours of India and England next year.
The 33-year-old averaged 71.28 and 110.57 in his last two away Border-Gavaskar and Ashes tours.
And if they are to succeed for their first series win in either country since 2004 and 2001 respectively, they need Smith firing at his absolute best.
Just as he did on Wednesday and Thursday.
"That's the plan, I hope so," Smith said.
"I think from the first one-dayer against England where I implemented the work I have been doing it felt very good straight away.
"It was good to just spend another bit of long time out in the middle adapting to that change. It's a little different to how I have been playing.
"It was good spending to just spent another bit of long time out in the middle adapting to that change. It's a little different to how I have been playing.
"I feel a lot more free and able to score in different areas and put a little more pressure back on the bowlers. Hopefully it stays for a little while."
After resuming on Thursday morning 59 not out, Smith was on from the outset, late-cutting and upper-cutting Alzarri Joseph to the third-man boundary.
Then after becoming the third fasted man to 29 Test tons after Sir Donald Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar, the former captain made a point to go big.
Battling hip pain he plundered on the runs in the second session of day two, driving gloriously and becoming more attacking as Australia started to eye off a declaration.
The three-figure score marked Smith's second in as many Tests, after fighting his way to his first ton in 18 months against Sri Lanka in Galle.
But that drought now seems long ago with Smith very much back to his best.
