Mark Waugh Insults Ollie Pope Before Mitchell Starc Comes Up With Brilliant Response

Legendary Australian former batter Mark Waugh slammed English batter Ollie Pope as he predicted his fate just moments before he was dismissed. Waugh called the English batsman 'just a player,' which troubled others in the commentary box, but Mitchell Starc proved him right.

After the first Test win at Optus Stadium in Perth, the Ashes have now moved on to the city of Brisbane. The Gabba has been known as one of Australia's most iconic grounds, but it has also been the house of historic upsets for the Aussies.

With the second Test being a pink-ball game, Australia waited till the final day for the return of their skipper, Pat Cummins. However, they had to settle for Michael Neser, who replaced Nathan Lyon, and Josh Inglis also came in for an injured Usman Khawaja.

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Mark Waugh posed doubts over Ollie Pope's ability at the big stage

Former Australian legend Mark Waugh drove him into Ricky Ponting's shoes as he predicted the fate of English batter Ollie Pope. For the first time in the history of the Gabba, it is hosting a pink-ball Test, and results have been promising for the Aussies.

Unlike Perth, batting conditions have been suitable in the Gabba and England, despite an early struggle, has managed to go past 150 in the second session of play. Ollie Pope has been one of the major upsets for India.

Pope's wicket made everyone go quiet, except for Mark Waugh in the commentary box. Before Pope walked out to the middle, Waugh predicted his fate, and he met just that in the very first Mitchell Starc over.

“There is a bit of a question mark over his spot in the team. They’ve been talking about [Jacob] Bethell a little bit. Maybe coming at 3, so it looked tough in Perth,” Waugh said.

A fellow commentator threw some numbers towards Waugh when he said, “12 months of Test cricket coming into last week, he was averaging 42. Not sure where that negativity is coming from,” but Waugh refrained from budging from his stance.

“I think he’s just another player. I think he is their weakness at No. 3. Not saying he is a bad player, but I think at this level, against good bowling, he’s got a little bit to prove,” Waugh added.

Mitchell Starc castled Ollie Pope right after Mark Waugh's remarks

As Pope played the third ball from Mitchell Starc, the batter advanced, tried to glide a ball through the third man and gully region, but instead dragged the ball back to his stumps.

“Do I need to say anymore,” quipped Waugh, before Brad Haddin chipped in. “Well, you’re right, Mark. He hasn’t learned from the first Test match. He could have left that ball; played away from his body. Big inside edge.”

Pope continued his disgusting run in the Ashes, while he had scored some promising hundreds back against Zimbabwe and against India. However, in Perth, he got starts in both innings with 46 and 33; however, he had several technical flaws, which led to immense criticism.

Junior labelled Ollie Pope 'just a player' moments before he was castled for a duck 😂 pic.twitter.com/8Wq9S1oHqS

— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) December 4, 2025

Australia dropped Nathan Lyon for yet another pink-ball Test

Nathan Lyon was left out in Jamaica earlier this year when Australia played a pink-ball Test earlier this year. After being dropped, he has been dropped from a pink-ball Test for the second time.

Lyon had not bowled many overs in the pink-ball Test against India during the previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Lyon missing out on this Test was a notion trailed since the opening match finished.

Michael Neser, who replaced Lyon in the XI, has been taking up the new ball and bowling long spells. He also dismissed Zak Crawley after the batter looked in good touch following consecutive ducks in Perth.

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