During Sri Lanka’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Delhi on Monday, 6th November, Angelo Mathews encountered a unique dismissal in international cricket history. Mathews came in to bat at number 6 after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal but had to depart without facing a single delivery in an unusual turn of events.
The seasoned Sri Lankan all-rounder, who entered the World Cup as a replacement player, found himself in a perplexing situation when he had to address a problem with his helmet.
This incident unfolded in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings, just after Shakib had dismissed Samarawickrama, caught by Mahmudullah near the boundary.
Mathews took his time while making his way to the crease, and then encountered an issue with his helmet, which further delayed his entry. Bangladesh, led by Shakib, appealed for a “timed out” dismissal, and the umpires upheld the appeal, much to Mathews’ disappointment.
While Mathews engaged in a debate with the Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and the umpires, the appeal remained unchanged, forcing Mathews to depart with a broken helmet strap. This marked the first instance in international cricket, whether in men’s or women’s matches, where a batsman was dismissed under the “timed out” law.
According to the MCC cricket rules, if a batter takes more than three minutes to face their first ball, they are required to leave the field following an appeal. However, the World Cup 2023 playing condition states that the time limit is set at 2 minute.
It is stated in the playing conditions, “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”
Angelo Mathews got timed out!!!!!..😯😯 pic.twitter.com/Jqfw9dXupK
— Shawstopper (@shawstopper_100) November 6, 2023
