In an unprecedented turn of events, Sri Lankan cricketing maestro Angelo Mathews etched his name into the annals of cricket history by becoming the first-ever player to face the rare sanction of ‘timed out’ during an international match. This extraordinary incident unfolded during the high-stakes Bangladesh-Sri Lanka One Day International (ODI) World Cup clash, held at the illustrious Arun Jaitley Stadium in the heart of New delhi.
The unexpected turn of events occurred in the 25th over of the innings, following the dismissal of Sri Lankan batter Sadeera Samarawickrama. As Mathews prepared to take his place at the crease, he encountered an issue with the strap of his protective helmet, causing him to delay assuming the batting position. This unforeseen delay prompted Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan to make a calculated appeal, a decision that ultimately received the affirmative nod from the on-field umpire.
According to the revered Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) law 40.1, a batter is required to be ready to receive the following delivery within a stipulated time frame of three minutes following the dismissal or retirement of a fellow player. However, the specific conditions of the ICC World Cup 2023, governing this prestigious tournament, have reduced the permissible timeframe for a batsman to a mere two minutes.
Despite a substitute promptly delivering a suitable helmet, Mathews’ efforts were in vain as the appeal stood and he was deemed ‘out.’ Mathews engaged in an animated discussion with the umpire and sought to explain the situation to Shakib, but these attempts proved futile. Frustration ultimately compelled Mathews to reluctantly leave the pitch, accompanied by a discernible display of disappointment, marked by a disheartened shaking of his head. In a moment of exasperation, he discarded his helmet after crossing the boundary.
This peculiar incident will undoubtedly remain etched in the collective memory of cricket aficionados and raises intriguing questions regarding adherence to the intricacies of the sport’s regulations.