Ollie Pope added to his burgeoning reputation as he played a crucial role in Surrey’s 139-run victory over Hampshire at The Oval in Specsavers County Championship Division One.

The 20-year-old, from Haslemere, cracked a career-best 145 on Sunday, his second first-class ton – having scored the first against the same opposition at the Ageas Bowl last September.

Pope shone at Cranleigh School and has taken to the county game so impressively that he is already playing with the composure of a seasoned professional after just seven first-class games.

His 191-ball innings, which included 18 fours and a six, ensured Hampshire were set 472 for victory but, despite Sam Northeast leading stout resistance with 129, they were beaten with 23.3 overs of the match remaining.

“Playing in front of a decent crowd on my home ground made it a very special feeling,” said Pope.

Teenage off-spinner Amar Virdi took 4-79 in the second innings, dismissing internationals Hashim Amla and James Vince.

It was in stark contrast to the opening day when Surrey lost their final six wickets for 24 and were dismissed for 211 after skipper Rory Burns opted to bat first.

Led by four wickets apiece from seamers Sam Curran and Rikki Clarke, they struck back powerfully to roll Hampshire over for 147, South Africa’s Amla in a class of his own as he made 55.

Scott Borthwick’s 74 built on that unexpected lead and Surrey were always going to take a lot of beating after Pope combined with Ben Foakes (81) in a fifth-wicket alliance worth 131.

Surrey will aim to maintain that bright beginning when they head to Old Trafford for tomorrow’s (Friday) encounter with Lancashire before entertaining Worcestershire a week later, both teams having lost their opening two matches.