Pope scores classy century as England launch fightback

Ollie Pope repaid England’s faith and banished further questions over his place as his fine century helped turn the tables on day two of the first Test against India.

- RORY DOLLARD

Pope's grip on the number three spot looked shaky at the start of the summer as Jacob Bethell pushed hard for the shirt, but having shored up his position with 171 against Zimbabwe last month he put the debate to bed with 100 not out against the might of Jasprit Bumrah and company.

Ben Stokes had claimed it would be "remarkable" to dispense with his vice-captain and those words chimed as Pope led England to 209 for three in response to India's 471 at Headingley.

The tourists had earlier missed the opportunity to bat their opponents out of the game, losing seven for 41 as Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes finished with four wickets apiece.

Their combined efforts rebalanced the game after India's serene progress on day one but the presence of Bumrah cast a long shadow.

The world's best bowler lived up to the billing, ripping out Zak Crawley with the new ball and returning for Ben Duckett and Joe Root, but his best was not quite enough to remove Pope.

Twice he saw genuine edges sail through gaps in the cordon and when one did go to hand at gully, Yashasvi Jaiswal spilled him on 60.