In a bizarre turn of events, Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews was timed out on Monday during his team’s World Cup 2023 clash against Bangladesh in Delhi. This marked the first instance in the 146-year history of international cricket that a batsman was given out in this manner.

Contents hide
1. The Confusion Around Mathews’ Dismissal
2. Timed Out Law in Cricket
3. Why Mathews Couldn’t Get Ready in Time
4. A Needless Mix-up Leads to Unfortunate Dismissal
5. The Dismissal’s Impact on the Match
6. A Landmark Moment in Cricket History

The Confusion Around Mathews’ Dismissal

The incident occurred in the 25th over of Sri Lanka’s innings. Shakib Al Hasan had just dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama when Mathews walked out to bat. However, Mathews seemed to have brought the wrong helmet with him. He was seen gesturing to the dressing room for a new helmet as the strap of his current one had come off.

While the substitute fielder was bringing a replacement helmet, Bangladesh appealed for Mathews to be timed out as more than two minutes had passed since the fall of the previous wicket. Despite Mathews’ animated pleas, the umpires upheld Bangladesh’s appeal and he had to walk back for a duck without facing a ball.

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Timed Out Law in Cricket

According to the timed out law in cricket, an incoming batsman must be ready to face a delivery or take strike within three minutes of the fall of a wicket as per MCC rules. For ICC events, this time limit is shortened to two minutes.

If the incoming batsman is not ready within the stipulated time, the fielding team can appeal for him to be timed out. Prior to Mathews, only six cricketers had been given out timed out in first-class cricket, but never before in international matches.

Why Mathews Couldn’t Get Ready in Time

Mathews seemed completely caught unawares by having to bat next after Samarawickrama’s dismissal. Reports suggest that he was expected to come in at number seven rather than his actual slot of number six. Hence, it took him longer than usual to gear up once the wicket fell.

By the time Mathews realised his helmet was faulty, precious seconds had already ticked by. Although the Sri Lankan dressing room did try to get him a replacement helmet before the two-minute deadline, it was too late by then. Bangladesh had already appealed and the umpires could do little but uphold the appeal as per the laws.

A Needless Mix-up Leads to Unfortunate Dismissal

The entire episode highlights a needless mix-up in the Sri Lankan camp, which threw their experienced batsman completely off guard. With Mathews not expecting to bat at number six, he was unable to get ready in time once the wicket fell.

This resulted in the bizarre dismissal, much to the frustration of the Sri Lankan team. Mathews himself was absolutely livid as he walked back to the pavilion, throwing away his helmet in disgust over the unfortunate turn of events.

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The Dismissal’s Impact on the Match

At the time of Mathews’ timed out dismissal, Sri Lanka seemed well-placed at 127/4 in the 25th over while chasing 226 to win. However, they suffered a batting collapse after Mathews’ exit and were eventually bowled out for 167.

One cannot definitively say that Mathews’ wicket triggered the collapse. But his vast experience could certainly have helped Sri Lanka’s chase if he had stayed at the crease. In the end, Bangladesh won the low-scoring thriller by 59 runs.

A Landmark Moment in Cricket History

While unfortunate for Mathews, his timed-out dismissal has created history as the first instance of its kind in international cricket across formats. It will now find a place in both the record books and cricket’s folklore for its sheer rarity value.

The dismissal also underscores the need for teams to be organized and batters alert. With updated playing conditions shortening the timed out rule to two minutes, players have to be extra prompt to avoid a repeat of such a freakish mode of dismissal.

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