OXFORD'S Hannah England reached tomorrow night's 1,500m final at Glasgow 2014 after finishing fourth in a surprisingly quick heat today.
The 27-year-old former world silver medallist clocked a season's best time of 4mins 5.62secs, while winner Hellen Obiri (Kenya) broke the Commonwealth Games record with 4.04.43.
England needed to finish in the top four to be sure of progressing - and managed that despite coming under pressure from Australia's Melissa Knight in the finishing straight.
The Oxford City ace was joined by Scotland's Laura Muir (4.05.19), who finished third, in making the final from heat one.
"I was really pleased with that and glad it was fast," said England.
"Being the first heat, I was more relaxed when we went through 800m fast."
The second heat, won by Kenya's Faith Kibiegon in 4.05.77, saw England's Laura Weightman (4.08.58) and Jemma Simpson (4.09.27) also progress - the latter as a fastest loser.
Earlier, Oxford University graduate Daniel Hooker qualified for tonight's T37 100m final for athletes with cerebral palsy after finishing fourth in his heat in 13.09secs.
Hooker said: "This morning was always going to be the nervous one. This evening I am just going to go out and have fun. Hopefully the wind will be in our favour and hopefully I will run a pb."
Didcot rifle shooter Dan Rivers (England) missed out on a place in the 50m prone final after finishing 20th in his qualifier.
Another former Oxford University student, swimmer James Jurkiewicz (Guernsey) finished sixth in his 200m backstroke heat, clocking 2mins 11.61secs.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here