Eoin Morgan slams Ollie Pope's decision to walk off early on Day 3 against Sri Lanka

Former England captain Eoin Morgan has sharply criticized Ollie Pope's decision to withdraw from using spinners during a crucial phase of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. 

The controversy erupted on Day 3, as the stand-in captain opted to conclude play early with 22 overs remaining, leaving Sri Lanka at 53-2 in their fourth innings chase of a daunting 483-run target.

England had amassed a total of 251 runs in their second innings, following a dominant first-innings performance that set up their mammoth lead. As the light began to fade, on-field umpires instructed Pope to use seamers only, which led to off-spin bowlers Joe Root and Shoaib Bashir taking the attack from overs 9 to 12.

When the light improved, Pope reintroduced the pace attack, resulting in Olly Stone's breakthrough that reduced Sri Lanka to 43-2. Sri Lanka then sent nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya to handle the situation after Nissanka's dismissal.

However, the light deteriorated again, prompting Pope to switch back to spinners. Over the next six overs of spin, Sri Lanka managed to score only 10 runs without losing a wicket, leading Pope to call an early end to the day's play.

Morgan, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned Pope's decision, stating, "I think it's a questionable decision. 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."

The former skipper further argued that the decision to walk off when Sri Lanka were in a vulnerable position was perplexing. 

"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 said.

He further stressed that it was illogical for England to end play when the opposition was in such a precarious position.

"I question the decision… you have runs to play with, you have two or three new balls, everything in your favour. And yet you're sitting in the changing room," he concluded.

Joe Root set a new England record with his 34th Test century during the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. Root scored 103, adding to his 143 in the first innings, and England was all out for 251 in their second innings. Root, who also took two catches, surpassed Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries. At stumps, Sri Lanka was 53-2, needing 430 more runs to avoid a seventh consecutive Test defeat to England.