Pope tames Lions with ton of belief

OLLIE SHOWS HIS VALUE BUT TOP TWO GO CHEAP

- From RORY DOLLARD IN PERTH

OLLIE POPE struck ihe first century of England's Ashes tour - and was hailed by teammate Zak Crawley.

Pope strengthened his claims for the No.3 spot ahead of next week's opening Test in Perth, scoring exactly 100 from 113 balls on day two of the internal warm-up match against Andrew Flintoff's England Lions.

It sends him into the series with a much-needed shot in the arm.

Pope spent much of the summer fending off pressure from Jacob Bethell and his grip on the shirt looked to be weakening when he lost the vice-captaincy to Harry Brook in September.

But Bethell had a lean white-ball tour of New Zealand last month, followed by a cheap dismissal on day one here at Perth's Lilac Hill.

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