OLLIE POPE'S prayers for runs were answered as he shone like a beacon in the south London gloom.
The Surrey man was in seventh heaven at The Oval, exorcising his recent batting gremlins to silence those who doubted he could combine the captaincy with batting at No.3.
He made a triumphant return to the ground he considers his cricketing cathedral, hitting an unbeaten 103 to become the first Test batsman to score his first seven hundreds against different opposition.
He and Ben Duckett (86) ensured England amassed 221-3 on a first day disrupted by bad light and rain.
Pope averages over 82 at The Oval and it was the perfect place to repay the faith Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have shown in him.
Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
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Denne historien er fra September 07, 2024-utgaven av Daily Mirror UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LUCING UP FOR ANGE
Under-fire Postecoglou in driving seat for Wembley glory after brilliant Bergvall rocks Slot’s high-fliers
MANUARY SALES
Need to cut wage bill at heart of decision to listen to offers for all first-team United stars
WEST HAM WAS NEVER THE WAY FOR LOPETEGUI
Bizarre choice for a club that wants to play with a certain style of football
SNACK OF THE NET
Sandwich-maker Tonks has a tasty throw and he aims to make a meal of struggling Spurs when they face minnows Tamworth on Sunday
YOUNG'S SON HAS SEAN FEELING OLD
SEAN DYCHE says he will feel all of his 53 years tonight if Ashley Young's teenage son is in Peterborough's squad at Goodison Park.
RYAN'S HALL IN FOR LEEDS
Star says Headingley return is not a swansong
Bargains boss bags £1 billion
Discount chain's founder rakes in bumper payout as its profits soar
BLAME,SET AND MATCH
McEnroe reckons Raducanu's mentality is causing more problems than her injuries
BHA ACTION PLAN
Saturday TV fixtures added to beat the freeze
BHA ACTION PLAN Saturday TV fixtures added to beat the freeze
ITV RACING viewers won't be frozen out on Saturday after the BHA yesterday added fixtures at Ffos Las and Chelmsford City to the weekend racing programme.
