Angelo Mathews becomes first in history of international cricket to be dismissed 'Timed Out'

Veteran Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews became part of cricketing history on Monday when he became the first cricketer to get dismissed ‘Timed Out’ in the international version of the game. World Cup 2023: News | Schedule | Results | Points table Mathews bore the brunt of the bizarre dismissal after taking more than two minutes to face his first delivery during Sri Lanka’s ICC World Cup match against Bangladesh at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. The problem appeared to be a broken strap on his helmet, though that didn’t stop Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan from appealing for the dismissal.

Mathews had already made his way to the centre very much within the stipulated time after Sadeera Samarawickrama was dismissed off Shakib Al Hasan’s bowling in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings. However, it was when he was about to take guard for his first delivery when his helmet strap came off. The senior all-rounder, who had been drafted into the Sri Lanka squad as a replacement for pacer Matheesha Pathirana, signalled for a spare helmet, and a substitute fielder would ferry it over from the dugout. Bangladesh skipper Shakib, however, noticed more than two minutes had passed since Samarawickrama had been dismissed and Mathews had made his way to the centre, and decided to take up the matter with umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth. After a bit of deliberation, umpires Erasmus and Illingworth eventually ruled in favour of the fielding side, much to the dismay of Mathews who repeatedly pointed towards the broken strap as a genuine reason behind the delay. It was 3.49 pm local time when Samarawickrama was caught by Mahmudullah at deep midwicket off Shakib’s bowling, and 3.54 pm by the time the umpires arrived at their historic decision. It’s worth noting that the Bangladeshi players had gone back to their respective positions and Shakib was back at the top of his run-up when Mathews started having issues with his helmet that resulted in the delay. “40.1 Out Timed out 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,” is what the ICC Laws state when it comes to the ‘Timed Out’ 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

The bizarre dismissal however, isn’t the only reason why the match is in the news. There were doubts over whether the match would even take place due to the alarming levels of air pollution in New Delhi, with both teams having skipped a training session each ahead of the match and several spotted wearing face masks. Bangladesh were the first team to be eliminated from semi-final contention while Sri Lanka are on the verge of joining them in that club — the 1996 world champions remain mathematically alive, and it will take something extraordinary for them to make the knockouts from here. Both teams however, are fighting to finish within the top eight positions in order to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.