In a dramatic and unexpected turn of events, Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews was given out ‘Timed Out’ in his team’s crucial World Cup match against Bangladesh today in Delhi, becoming the first player in international cricket history to receive this rare form of dismissal. 

The Incident That Led to the Timed Out

As Mathews walked out to bat after a Sri Lankan wicket fell, he was preparing to face Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. While tightening his helmet strap, the strap broke just before Mathews was ready to take strike. He immediately called for a replacement helmet which his teammate Chamika Karunaratne rushed out to him. 

However, as Mathews was still not ready to face the first ball within the stipulated two minutes allowed by ICC rules, on appeal by Shakib, umpire Marais Erasmus informed Mathews he had been timed out. The entire episode lasted over three minutes twenty seconds since the previous Sri Lankan wicket fell.

A Stunned Mathews Protests as Bangladesh Players Accept Decision

Mathews seemed stunned by the decision at first, not realizing the umpire was serious. But after discussions with both on-field umpires, the distraught Sri Lankan veteran realized he had no choice but to walk back to the pavilion. 

Mathews remonstrated angrily about his broken helmet strap while the Bangladesh players quietly took up their fielding positions, accepting the umpire’s ruling. Shakib even consolingly tapped Mathews on his shoulder as he left the field in dismay over the circumstances of his dismissal.

Dramatic scenes in Delhi with Angelo Mathews becoming the first batter to be timed out in international cricket 👀

Details 👉 https://t.co/Nf8v8FItmh#BANvSL #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/VwjFfLHOQp

— ICC (@ICC) November 6, 2023

Umpires Explain Application of Timed Out Law to Mathews  

Later, reserve umpire Adrian Holdstock explained that Shakib had appealed to Erasmus to invoke the ‘Timed Out’ rule as Mathews was not ready to face a delivery within two minutes of the previous wicket. The stipulated time had elapsed even before Mathews’ helmet strap broke. 

Mathews had already overshot the time limit and was not ready to receive the ball when the two minutes expired. Under ICC rules, a ‘Timed Out’ dismissal must be upheld irrespective of any equipment malfunction if the batter is not ready in time. Additionally, you can also read about- ICC World Cup 2023 Bangladesh Team Analysis [Key Players to Watch]

Historic But Controversial End to Mathews’ Innings

While Mathews’ dismissal was within the laws of cricket, it was an unfortunate and historic way for one of Sri Lanka’s leading batsmen to get out. Mathews’ obvious frustration and annoyance at leaving the field in such fashion added to the drama of a tense Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh World Cup encounter.

But Mathews’ removal left Sri Lanka precariously placed at 135/5 before Charith Asalanka’s brilliant century revived the innings. In the end, Mathews’ bizarre dismissal could play a pivotal role in the final World Cup group standings of these two neighboring rivals.

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