Angelo Mathews becomes 1st cricketer to be ‘timed out’, Let’s know about this rule of cricket
Angelo Mathews, in a first for international cricket, was timed out during Sri Lanka’s clash against Bangladesh in Delhi on Monday.
Mathews, who came in to bat at No.6 after Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket, was dismissed without facing a ball after Bangladesh appealed for a “timed out” dismissal when he took time to sort an issue with his helmet.
The incident happened in the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings. Shakib Al Hasan had just dismissed Samarawickrama, caught by Mahmudullah near the rope. Mathews took his time walking in, and then struggled with his helmet as the strap broke just as he was taking guard.
As he signaled to the dressing room for a new helmet, Shakib and the Bangladesh team appealed for a “timed out” dismissal. The umpires upheld the appeal, despite Mathews’ protests.
Mathews was seen deep in discussion with Bangladesh and the umpires, but the appeal was not withdrawn. Mathews had to walk back dismayed.
What is Timed Out?
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 playing conditions pertaining to “timed out” dismissals reads thus:
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.
Other instances of Timed Out
It was the first time in international cricket, men’s or women’s, that a batter was dismissed according to the “timed out” law.
In 2007, Sourav Ganguly was nearly timed out in a Test match against South Africa after he took more than six minutes to step out following a bizarre sequence of events. Then South Africa skipper Graeme Smith decided not to appeal and Ganguly went on to bat.
Sachin Tendulkar, who was slotted to come in at No.4, couldn’t bat yet, because he had been off the field during South Africa’s innings. VVS Laxman, meanwhile, was believed to be in the shower which meant Ganguly, who was unprepared for the event, had to rush out at No.4.
While the Mathews incident is a first in international cricket, there have been six instances of batters being timed out in first-class cricket.
