Welcome to Twenty Two Yards, a newsletter celebrating cricket's biggest moments

In this issue:

• England’s VC makes his first appearance

• Imran Khan sentenced

• Windies are making a comeback

At Home with Ollie Pope

By Ollie Goodwin

What makes a home? It's about more than stacking Swedish flat-pack furniture or cramming in massive TVs. There's no exact recipe for creating a home; forget the noiseless stuff. It's about memories and experiences. It's a feeling of comfort, a place where you can relax. For Ollie Pope, England's vice-captain, home means racking up runs—lots of runs. It's swatting world-class bowlers all over South London and delivering the most glorious cover drive you can imagine. We caught up with England's vice-captain, and he talked us through what makes his relationship with the Oval so special.

"It does feel like home. I've grown up here." Popey explained. "I had my first trial when I was six, and ever since then, I've been a Surrey boy through and through. Back then, I'd be trying to get a peek of the grass through the cracks. As a youngster, it was always about playing here."

Ollie's got his feet up and slippers on. We're posted up in the long room at the Kennington Oval. It's a fairly prestigious venue for the inaugural Twenty Two Yards editorial feature. But Ollie, he's unphased. Donning the Arsenal training kit from 1998, the year he was born, it was just another day at home for England's number three.

"My favourite moment here? Ah, it's got to be that 2005 Ashes. The scenes when they got the draw, the players walking around the boundary, it was like a football match, the noise, the limbs. That's probably my first proper memory here, and it inspired me. There's been plenty since and plenty to come. It's tough not to get inspired when you rock up here. There are so many memories."

Ollie's making his moments and memories now. He's scoring tons in the most challenging conditions (a certain knock springs Hyderabad to mind), but all the hard work came right here in South London. For us mere mortals watching this guy churn out runs, it's mind-boggling. Like a spider spinning its web—the levels, the detail, the natural fluidity. I had to ask about the average. He grins and lets out a silent chuckle. A 'oh, I know' sort of chuckle. His average? A whopping 70, to be precise.

"I've put together a formula that has worked for me. I know the bounce of it and the carry, what the pitch is generally going to do, so it's just a place that I feel comfortable. I just want to keep churning the runs here, hopefully for the next fifteen years, if I can make it that long. It's tough not to get inspired when you rock up here. There are so many memories, England memories, so many Ashes memories. It's such a special place, and you can't help but be inspired here."

Outrageous numbers for an extraordinary player. It's not just buckets of runs; it is barrels. He should keep the slippers on, to be honest. It's just where he belongs. Right here in South London, piling on the runs.

"Have I kissed the badge? I think I might have once, but it's a club I love. I think I've earned the right to, right?"

Kiss the badge, Ollie; we'll allow it.

Imran Khan Sentenced to 10 Years

By TTY Staff

In shocking news in the ongoing saga in Pakistan, former Captain and PM Imran Khan has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Khan has been accused of leaking state secrets.

In a statement, Khan's political party (PTI) called the case a "sham" trial as the court case was conducted outside of the public view.

It's not shocking, given that Pakistan's cricket board edited Khan out of Pakistan's highlights. As a refresher, that'd be comparable to removing David Beckham from England football highlights.

Khan has lived many lives now.

Cricket phenom. Captain. Socialite. Philanthropist. Author. 22nd Prime Minister. Assinanation target. Political opposition. Soon to be an inmate.

Imran Khan intends to appeal the decision.

The Slip Corden

• Windies are back!
  Ladies and gents, meet Shamar Joseph. The 24-year-old quit his job as a security guard 18 months ago but has taken on the responsibility of protecting West Indies Test cricket by delivering his nation's first Test win in Australia for 27 years. Seven for 68 in only his second Tes
  

• Five months away from India v. Pakistan in NYC

  Does NYC have a big cricket stadium? Not really, but don't worry - they're building it - like really fast! A 34,000-seat modular stadium is in the works to accommodate the wildest fans in the world. In NYC, anything can happen.

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Issue: Here’s to the Minnows
Publisher: J. LaLonde
Editor-At-Large: Angus Wilson
Contributing Writer: David Scipione
Contributing Writer: Ollie Goodwin
Illustration: Sidney Secolo