Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews became the first player to be given Timed Out in international cricket (men or women). The veteran Sri Lankan batsman suffered this fate on Monday during Sri Lanka’s World Cup 2023 group-stage fixture against Bangladesh in Delhi.
This incident has further added spice to the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh rivalry that has taken heat over the past couple of years. This event gave the fans something to talk about and discuss in a game where both teams are out of semi-final contention.
What is the Timed Out rule?
The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) rule for Timed Out states: “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 3 minutes (2 minutes in World Cup 2023) of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”
It is to be noted that even though the MCC laws say the new batter is given 3 minutes to face the ball after the dismissal of the previous batter, according to the World Cup 2023 playing conditions, the new batter is given 2 minutes.
Is Angelo Mathews the first cricketer to be given Timed Out?
Angelo Mathews is the first player to be Timed Out in international cricket, men or women. But, according to ESPNcricinfo, there have been six instances of a batter being Timed Out, all in first-class cricket.
What happened with Angelo Mathews? Why was he given Timed Out?
Here’s what happened: Angelo Mathews walked into bat after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama. Mathews had walked into the field within 2 minutes of Samarawickrama’s dismissal. However, when Mathews was set to face the ball, he realized that his helmet strap wasn’t fitting properly under his chin and then the strap broke.
He removed his helmet and asked for a new one; the substitute brought a new helmet, and that caused a delay. This meant that Mathews didn’t take the strike to face his first ball until three minutes had passed since Samarawickrama’s dismissal.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and his team then appealed for Timed Out. Mathews tried to explain to Shakib and the umpires that he had been ready to face the ball but his helmet’s strap wasn’t fitting and it got broken, so he asked for a new one.
But Shakib didn’t withdraw his appeal and the umpires decided Mathews was to be given Timed Out. Mathews was livid and threw his helmet at the hoarding near the boundary.
Remember, this is an important match for both teams for the Champions Trophy 2025 qualification; the top 8 teams in this tournament will qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
