OLLIE'S A SMART ALEC

Stew helps Pope get mojo back

- RORY DOLLARD

OLLIE POPE revealed a heart-to-heart with his mentor Alec Stewart helped pave the way for his timely return to form against New Zealand.

Pope's association with the former England captain runs deep, with the 61-year-old overseeing his rise through the ranks as Surrey's director of cricket.

And it was Stewart who Pope sought out after a poor series in Pakistan, where he averaged just 11, raised difficult questions over his role in the England side.