In an unprecedented turn of events during Sri Lanka’s clash with Bangladesh in Delhi, Angelo Mathews faced an unexpected dismissal due to a “timed out” incident, marking a historic first in international cricket across all formats.
Mathews, a seasoned Sri Lankan all-rounder who joined the World Cup as a replacement player, found himself at the center of a perplexing situation during the encounter. Entering the crease at the sixth position after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama, Mathews was unable to face a single delivery before being forced to exit, making this incident a rare occurrence in the realm of international cricket.
The incident unfolded during the 25th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, shortly after Samarawickrama was dismissed by Shakib Al Hasan, caught by Mahmudullah near the boundary. Mathews, strolling in at his own pace, encountered a dilemma with his helmet as its strap broke while he was taking guard. As he signaled for a new helmet from the dressing room, Bangladesh seized the opportunity to appeal for a “timed out” dismissal.
Despite Mathews engaging in discussions with both the Bangladesh team and the umpires, the appeal was upheld, leaving Mathews visibly disappointed as he left the field.
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 regulations regarding “timed out” dismissals state:
“40.1.1 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.”
Given Mathews’ delay in facing his first ball, which exceeded the two-minute threshold even before the helmet strap issue arose, he was required to leave the field following the appeal. This incident has undoubtedly etched a unique chapter in the annals of international cricket history.
The dismissal of Mathews via a “timed out” ruling highlights the intricacies of cricket regulations and serves as a reminder of the importance of adherence to time constraints on the field. As the cricketing world reflects on this unprecedented event, it underscores the need for players and teams to remain vigilant and ensure prompt readiness during matches.
