by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
In a first for international cricket, Angelo Mathews was timed out during Sri Lanka’s match against Bangladesh in Delhi on Monday. Mathews entered the batting crease at No.6 after the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket but had to return without facing a single ball due to a timed-out dismissal.
The veteran Sri Lankan all-rounder, who joined the World Cup as a replacement player, found himself in a confusing situation when he had to deal with a helmet issue. The incident occurred in the 25th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, just after Shakib Al Hasan had dismissed Samarawickrama, caught by Mahmudullah near the boundary.
Mathews took his time walking in and struggled with his helmet as the strap broke when he was preparing to take his guard. He signaled to the dressing room for a new helmet, which led to Bangladesh appealing for a “timed out” dismissal. The umpires upheld the appeal despite Mathews being deep in discussion with the Bangladesh team.
According to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 playing conditions regarding “timed out” dismissals, after a wicket falls or a batter retires, the incoming batter must be ready to receive the ball or for the other batter to be prepared to face the next delivery within 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement.
If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter is considered out, “Timed out.” Mathews took more than two minutes to face his first ball, leading to his dismissal under this rule. This marked the first instance in international cricket, whether men’s or women’s, where a batter was dismissed according to the “timed out” law.
