‘Questionable decision on a turning pitch’ – Eoin Morgan on Ollie Pope’s decision to walk off due to bad light

Ollie Pope. (Photo Source: IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

After setting an improbable target of 483 for Sri Lanka on Day 3, England bagged the wickets of Nishan Madushka and Pathum Nissanka before Stumps in the second Test at Lord’s. The Three Lions could have bowled a few more overs but with the light fading away, stand-in skipper Ollie Pope couldn’t get his pacers back into the attack and the 26-year-old decided to walk off along with his teammates.

Morgan questioned the decision, saying that England had nothing to lose in the situation and could have continued with their spinners insteaf of pacers, especially since the pitch was providing considerable turn and bounce.

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“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,” Morgan said on Sky Sports.

“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. 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,” the former skipper opined.

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In the first Test at Old Trafford, a similar instance occured and Pope decided to continue bowling his spinners. However, the move had backfired as Bashir and Joe Root leaked runs and debutant Milan Rathnayake bagged a half century on his international debut.

However, this time, England were way ahead in the game and that is why Morgan feels that they could have continued bowling spin. The hosts would look to wrap things up on Day 4 and seal yet another series win at home. The tourists, meanwhile, finished Day 3 at 53/2 as Dimuth Karunaratne and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya remained unbeaten at the end. Sri Lanka still need 430 to win, with two days of play still left.