Legendary former Australian batsman Mark Waugh has slammed English batsman Ollie Pope for predicting his destiny shortly earlier than he was sacked. Waugh known as the England batsmen “simply gamers”, which irritated others within the commentary field, however Mitchell Starc proved him proper.
After the primary Take a look at victory at Perth’s Optus Stadium, the Ashes moved to Brisbane Metropolis. The Gabba is named certainly one of Australia’s most iconic grounds, but it surely has additionally been the location of historic upsets for Australians.
Because the second Take a look at was a pink-ball sport, Australia waited till the ultimate day for captain Pat Cummins to return. Nevertheless, Michael Nessel needed to substitute Nathan Ryan and Josh Inglis additionally got here on instead of the injured Usman Khawaja.
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Mark Waugh questions Olly Pope’s means on the massive stage
Former Australian legend Mark Waugh has propelled him into the sneakers of Ricky Ponting, who predicted the destiny of English batsman Ollie Pope. The pink-ball Take a look at is being held for the primary time in Gabba historical past and the outcomes are promising for the Australians.
Not like Perth, batting circumstances had been appropriate on the Gabba and England, regardless of early struggles, managed to cross 150 within the second session of play. Olly Pope was one of many huge upsets for India.
Listening to Pope’s wicket, everybody turned quiet apart from Mark Waugh within the commentary field. Earlier than Pope took heart stage, Waugh foretold his personal destiny, and he encountered precisely that within the very first Mitchell Starkover.
“There is a little bit of a query mark over his place within the workforce. They’ve talked a bit of bit about (Jacob) Bethell, who’s in all probability coming in as a three-year-old so it appeared powerful in Perth,” Waugh mentioned.
A fellow commentator threw some numbers at Waugh, saying: “We began 12 months of Take a look at cricket final week and averaged 42. I do not know the place that negativity is coming from,” however Waugh avoided altering his place.
“I believe he is only a participant. I believe he is the weak hyperlink of their No. 3. I am not saying he is a nasty participant, however I believe at this degree, in opposition to good bowling, he must show himself a bit,” Waugh added.
When Pope performed the third ball from Mitchell Starc, the batsman moved ahead and tried to move the ball by means of the third man and gully space, however as an alternative dragged the ball again to his personal stumps.
“Do I must say extra?” Waugh joked, earlier than Brad Haddin interjected: “Nicely, Mark, he hasn’t realized from that first Take a look at match. He might have performed that ball off the ball. He might have performed it off the physique. An enormous inside edge.”
Pope had a dismal run within the Ashes regardless of scoring promising lots of in opposition to Zimbabwe and India. Nevertheless, he began each 46 and 33 instances for Perth. Nevertheless, he had some technical flaws, which led to an excessive amount of criticism.
Junior labels Ollie Pope ‘only a participant’ simply earlier than he is put within the Geese’ citadel 😂 pic.twitter.com/8Wq9S1oHqS
— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) December 4, 2025
Australia miss Nathan Ryan once more in pink-ball Take a look at
Nathan Ryan was overlooked in Jamaica throughout Australia’s pink-ball Take a look at earlier this yr. After being dropped, he was dropped from the second pink-ball Take a look at.
Lyon didn’t bowl many overs within the pink-ball Take a look at in opposition to India within the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The concept Lyon wouldn’t be capable of play on this check has continued ever for the reason that opening sport.
Michael Nessel, who changed Lyon within the eleven, has picked up a brand new ball and continues to bowl lengthy. Additionally they dismissed Zac Crawley because the batsman seemed to be in good kind after back-to-back geese in Perth.
Additionally learn: BCCI’s displeasure forces Virat Kohli to alter his thoughts on collaborating in Vijay Hazare Trophy
