POPE’S INSIDE TRACK ON SOUTH AFRICA

ENGLAND batsman Ollie Pope tapped into the inside knowledge of Surrey team-mate Morne Morkel before the tour of South Africa. The 21-year-old, set to replace Jonny Bairstow for Friday’s second Test after recovering from illness, said of former South Africa paceman Morkel: ‘Morne’s a great bloke. He looks at things from a bowling perspective, understands the wickets and what bowlers are trying to do. He’s a great person to chat to for his cricket brain but I’m sure he’s been on the phone to the South African coaches telling them about me, Rory Burns and Sam Curran too!’