Pope stakes claim ahead of first Test

OLLIE POPE struck the first century of England’s Ashes tour, locking down his spot at number three ahead of next week's opening Test.

- By RORY DOLLARD

Pope scored 100 from 113 balls on day two of the warm-up match against Andrew Flintoff’s England Lions, sending him into the series with a much-needed shot in the arm.

He spent much of the summer fending off pressure from Jacob Bethell and looked to have lost his grip on the shirt when he lost the vice-captaincy to Harry Brook.

But Bethell’s lean white-ball tour of New Zealand, and a cheap dismissal on day one at Perth’s Lilac Hill, strengthened Pope’s hand as the incumbent.

Now, further buoyed by 16 fours and a six in a quality knock against the second string, Pope can set his sights on facing the Australians across the city at Optus Stadium on Friday.