Great Australian former batsman Mark Waugh has criticized English batsman Ollie Pope after he predicted his fate just moments before he was out. Waugh called the English batsman ‘just a player’, which troubled others in the commentary box, but Mitchell Starc proved him right.
Following the first Test win at Optus Stadium in Perth, the Ashes have now reached Brisbane city. The Gabba is known as one of Australia’s most iconic grounds, but it has also been home to historic upsets for the Australian team.
With the second Test being a pink-ball game, Australia waited until the final day for the return of their captain Pat Cummins. However, they had to settle for Michael Neser, who replaced Nathan Lyon, and Josh Inglis who also came in for the injured Usman Khawaja.
Mark Waugh casts doubt on Ollie Pope’s ability at the big stage
Former Australian legend Mark Waugh replaced him with Ricky Ponting as he predicted the fate of England batsman Ollie Pope. For the first time in the Gabba’s history, it is hosting a pink-ball Test, and the results have been promising for the Australian team.
Unlike Perth, batting conditions at the Gabba have been suitable and England, despite early struggles, have managed to cross 150 in the second session of play. Ollie Pope has been one of the big upsets for India.
Pope’s wicket silenced everyone in the commentary box except Mark Waugh. Before Pope walked into the middle, Waugh predicted his fate, and he faced Mitchell Starc in the very first over.
“There’s a bit of a question mark over his place in the team. They’re talking about [Jacob] Bethel a little bit. Probably coming in at 3 o’clock, so it was looking tough in Perth,” Waugh said.
A fellow commentator threw some statistics at Waugh when he said, “After 12 months of Test cricket he averaged 42 last week. Not sure where that negativity is coming from,” but Waugh refrained from deviating from his stance.
Waugh said, “I think he’s just another player. I think that’s his weakness at No. 3. I’m not saying he’s a bad player, but I think at this level, against good bowling, he has a bit to prove.”
As Pope played Mitchell Starc’s third ball, the batsman moved forward, tried to slide a ball through third man and the gully region, but instead pulled the ball back onto his stumps.
Before Brad Haddin could speak, Waugh quipped, “Need I say more?”
Pope continued his abysmal form in the Ashes as he scored some brilliant centuries against Zimbabwe and India. However, in Perth, he opened with 46 and 33 in both innings; However, they had several technical flaws, which led to heavy criticism.
Junior calls Ollie Pope ‘just a player’ moments before being out for a duck pic.twitter.com/8Wq9S1oHqS
– Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) 4 December 2025
Australia rule out Nathan Lyon for another pink-ball Test
Nathan Lyon was left out of Jamaica when Australia played a pink-ball Test earlier this year. After being dropped, he has been dropped from the pink ball Test for the second time.
Lyon did not bowl many overs in the pink-ball Test against India during the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Since the end of the initial match, there was an assumption that Lyon would not be able to play in this test.
Michael Neser, who replaced Lyon in the eleven, is taking the new ball and bowling long spells. The batsman was looking in good form after consecutive ducks in Perth, after which he also dismissed Jack Crawley.
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