OLLIE POPE’S prayers for runs were answered a hundred fold 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 demons and silencing those who doubted he could combine captaincy and batting at No.3.
He made a triumphant return to the ground he considers his cricketing cathedral, hitting the right notes with 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 when just 44 overs were bowled.
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.
Bu hikaye Daily Star dergisinin September 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Daily Star dergisinin September 07, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
RATTLED AND HUM
Mats late blow rocks leaky Spurs
BISH BASH GOSH
Shoaib left stunned by rapid rise to stardom
TRUMP ACES IT AGAIN
JUDD TRUMP maintained his hoodoo over all-time great John Higgins - but played down his chances of becoming a multiple UK champion.
SIMPLY THE JEST
Lando laughs off cheeky Max jibe
WAKEY JAKEY
Trinity star Trueman stirred after KO hell
Fur better or fur worse!
WE share twice the number of pet pictures on social media than snaps of our partners.
Baldies nick make-up to hide patches
WHAT'S WRONG WITH A COMBOVER, CHAPS?
Ricky Gerv rage
ROYALS & CELEBS FREEBIES BLASTED
ZOE: I WAKE UP IN AWFUL PAIN
Ball's suffering from jaw issue
USA not Shaun's Bez bet
UNHAPPY AMERICA - HAPPY Mondays blame Bez for never cracking America properly.