ENG vs SL, 2nd Test: 'Jeez the last place...,' Eoin Morgan questions England captain Ollie Pope's decision

Former England skipper Eoin Morgan has questioned Ollie Pope's decision to not bowl spinners on day 3 evening during the second Test against Sri Lanka. Pope's decision to not bowl spinners led to play being halted due to bad light on Saturday (Aug 31) and was eventually called off. A total of 22 overs were lost due to early end of play as Pope insisted on bowling pacers for which light was not suitable, deemed the on-filed umpires.

"I think it's a questionable decision," said Morgan on Sky Sports. "The reason behind that is just the whole context of the last hour or so: it is dark. There's a reason the seamers can't bowl: it is dangerous for everybody concerned.

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"If you're sitting in Sri Lanka's changing room, you're thinking, 'Jeez the last place I want to be is out there with the bat in hand - facing anybody.' It's a lose-lose situation. I totally understand the concern for the condition of the ball, but you're talking about England's premium fingerspinner in Shoaib Bashir, who needs to bowl. The ball is turning and bouncing," he added.

By the time the day's play was halted due to bad light, Sri Lanka were 53/2 with Dimuth Karunaratne (23) on the crease alongside night watchman Prabath Jayasuriya (3).

Earlier, Joe Root scored 145 in England's first innings of the ongoing second Test at Lord's and helped them score 427. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 196, conceding a first-innings lead of 231 runs.

Root again anchored England's second innings - scoring 103 before being the last man out as England folded for 251 and set Sri Lanka a daunting target of 483.

The second-highest score in England's second innings behind Root was Harry Brook's 37 - demonstrating the batter's skills on a not-so-easy pitch.