After 10 years of labouring away at domestic level, the Otago Sparks opener has been called into the White Ferns for the three-game ODI series against Australia in Wellington this week.
Her form has shown a sharp rise this season, and with Georgia Plimmer ruled out with a stress fracture, James gets her chance.
The 25-year-old right-hander made her debut for the Sparks when she was 15 and her overall record bears the scars of a player who had to learn on the job.
She skipped the apprenticeship and got stuck straight in. But under the guidance of Sparks coach Craig Cumming, her batting has really flourished in the past three years.
James has clouted 293 runs at an average of 73.25 this season, and after six rounds, she is the second-leading scorer in the competition.
Those runs have come at a good clip, too.
Her punishing century against a quality Wellington attack at the University Oval late last month was another clear sign of how far she has come as a player.
She described Cumming, who is heading offshore at the end of the Super Smash season to coach in the UK, as having a big impact on her career.
"Yeah, massive, massive. From when he first came in to now, I’ve worked through things slowly and figured out my game and how I want to play," James said.
"Once I figured that out a couple of years ago, the next step was the mental game. And he’s been massive in that.
"And this year I’ve been able to relax and enjoy it."
James, who is a sports co-ordinator at Balmacewen Intermediate, is trying to keep her White Ferns promotion in perspective.
"But I think I’m trying to look at it with the mentality it is just another game of cricket.
"Having Suzie [Bates] and Eden [Carson], their familiar faces there [is helpful], and playing with girls you’ve played with or against through the age groups."
James has had plenty of opportunities to walk out to the middle with White Ferns veteran Bates with Otago.
But getting the chance to do it for the White Ferns against Australia in Wellington on Thursday in front of a big crowd will be a wonderful experience.
It will be reassuring to have Carson in the lineup as well.
The Sparks have been flying.
They have won all six Hallyburton Johnstone Shield games this season and have collected maximum points.
Add in the five the defending champions won at the end of last season and the Sparks have strung together 11 consecutive wins.
"The team’s in such a good space and everyone’s really enjoying it.
"Everyone’s put in the work over the winter and I think everyone trusts themselves now and backs themselves to play their game, which is really cool.
"And we back each other, no matter what."
The White Ferns are still basking in the surprise T20 World Cup win but Australia have most certainly had the advantage over the Kiwis and will start as favourites.
They could use another spark, and they have got one.
