Watch: Angelo Mathews becomes first to be given timed out in international cricket
The 35-year-old all-rounder was ‘timed out’ after his could not take his position to bat due to an issue with his helmet.
Crickate
On November 6, Monday, the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka began at the Arun Jaitely stadium in Delhi. Shakib Al Hasan, the captain of Bangladesh, won the toss and asked Kusal Mendis and company to bat first.
Angelo Mathews, a senior all-rounder for Sri Lanka, was removed without having to face a ball in an exciting incident. He batted at number six after Sadeera Samarawickrama was removed from the Sri Lankan side. The 35-year-old all-rounder was "timed out" because he was unable to take the field because of a helmet problem.
Notably, MCC Law 40.1, states that "Within three minutes of the dismissal or retirement, the incoming batter must be ready to receive the ball, unless Time has been called, or the other batter must be ready to receive the next ball." The batter who enters will be timed out if this condition is not met."
But it's important to remember that the ICC Men's ODI World Cup Playing Conditions state that such an occurrence can only last two minutes, not three, which is why Mathews was dismissed. Mathews could only have prevailed in this situation if the opposing team had dropped their appeal.
Notably, Mathews' helmet had a problem since the strap broke off just before he was about to take a hit. While Mathews was waiting for another helmet to arrive, Bangladeshi captain Shakib appealed to the umpires.
Bangladesh declined to rescind the appeal, despite Mathews' efforts to notify Shakib and the umpires that his equipment was the cause of the delay. It was noted that the umpires were conversing with the Sri Lankan. But umpire Marais Erasmus made history after a brief break when he dismissed Mathews for violating the "timed out law."
