World Cup 2023: Angelo Mathews makes history as first cricketer to be dismissed timed out

• Angelo Mathews made an unusual and historic exit from international cricket.
• He became the first batter ever to be timed out in a match against Bangladesh.
• Mathews requested a helmet change, but the broken strap delayed him.

Angelo Mathews made an unusual and historic exit in international cricket, becoming the first batter ever to be timed out. The incident occurred during a match against Bangladesh when Mathews requested a helmet change and, due to a broken strap, was not ready to face the ball within the two-minute limit specified in the ICC playing conditions.

As Mathews prepared to face the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan, his helmet strap appeared to be broken, prompting him to call for a replacement. However, he had not taken a strike at the time, and the umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth deemed him out.

The time of the previous batter’s dismissal was 3:49 pm local time, while Mathews was given out at 3:54 pm, indicating that the umpires had allowed him more than a minute’s grace before making the ruling. The ICC playing conditions state that a new batter must be ready to face their first ball within two minutes of arriving at the crease.

“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.”

Mathews vehemently argued his case with the umpires, emphasizing the issue with his helmet strap. He even engaged in a discussion with Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib.

However, the decision was not reversed, and Mathews had to leave the field, visibly frustrated by the unique mode of dismissal.

This dismissal left Sri Lanka in a challenging position, with the team’s score at 135 for 5. Angelo Mathews’ unusual exit will go down in cricketing history as a rare instance of being timed out in international cricket.

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