In a dramatic twist of events at the Cricket World Cup, Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka scripted a unique, albeit undesirable, slice of history by becoming the first player to be timed out in an international cricket fixture. The incident occurred during the group-stage clash with Bangladesh in Delhi’s sweltering atmosphere.
Only a handful of occasions have witnessed a player being timed out in the elite echelons of cricket since the inception of this regulation.
So, what unfolded exactly, how do the cricket laws interpret such incidents, and what’s the general consensus about this occurrence?
Be sure to cast your vote and weigh in with your opinion at the bottom.
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The Incident in Detail
Post Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal on the second delivery of the 25th over, 35-year-old Mathews takes to the crease and prepares to take his stand when his helmet chinstrap gives way during an adjustment attempt.
Recognizing the snap, Mathews immediately signals for a helmet replacement.
A conversation ensues with Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, as Mathews points out the helmet’s damage, seeking an allowance for the time taken to get a replacement.
Subsequently, umpires Richard Illingworth and Marais Erasmus become part of the discussion.
A possibility arises that Erasmus inquires if Shakib is considering an appeal for dismissal.
Following a brief exchange with Shakib and the Bangladesh team, Erasmus directs Mathews to exit the field.
Resigning to his fate after further discussions with Shakib, Mathews departs, discarding his defective helmet towards the drink boxes bordering the field.
His departure is marked by a visible frustration, further evidenced by more gear being tossed as he ascends the stairs to the dressing room. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s captain Kusal Mendis is spotted engaging in a lively dialogue with the fourth umpire, Adrian Holdstock, and Bangladesh’s coach, Chandika Hathurusingha.
Later, Chris Silverwood, Sri Lanka’s coach, is seen conversing with Holdstock.
Understanding the Law
Adding to the complexity, the International Cricket Council (ICC) enforces a stricter timeframe than the standard Laws of Cricket, governed by the MCC.
While the Laws serve as a general guideline for cricket, exceptions apply for specific tournaments, leagues, or matches.
Law 40.1.1 discusses the timed-out rule: a batter must be ready to face the next ball within three minutes post a dismissal or retirement unless a timeout has been called. Failure to do so results in a dismissal for being timed out.
The ICC’s World Cup playing conditions, however, stipulate a two-minute window instead of three.
Mathews had a mere two minutes to gear up for the first ball.
Samarawickrama’s wicket fell at 10:19:05 GMT, and Mathews’ equipment malfunctioned at 10:20:58, within the permissible two minutes. His departure from the pitch at 10:25:30, however, occurred five minutes following the previous wicket.
Although not mandatory under ICC supervision, unlike in England and Wales, Mathews chose not to bat without a helmet.
Varied Reactions
The incident has drawn a spectrum of reactions.
Niall O’Brien, former Irish wicketkeeper and part of the BBC Test Match Special team, felt there was an error, stating, “He was prepared. It’s the equipment that let him down.”
Athar Ali Khan, an ex-Bangladesh player providing TV analysis, expressed discontent, believing it tarnished the spirit of the game and advocated for additional time under such circumstances.
Conversely, Ramiz Raja, former Pakistan captain and commentator, appreciated the umpires’ handling, emphasizing the importance of players understanding the rules and their spirit.
During the innings break, fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock clarified that ICC World Cup conditions override the MCC Laws, stating the batsman must be ready in two minutes, a timeframe monitored by the TV umpire and conveyed to the on-field umpire. In this case, Mathews wasn’t ready within that period, even before the helmet strap became problematic.
Historical Context
This marks the seventh instance of the Law’s application, but it’s the inaugural occurrence in both international and limited-overs cricket, with previous cases arising in domestic first-class matches.
Instances of Timed Out Dismissals in Cricket:
- Andrew Jordaan faced delays due to floods.
- Hemulal Yadav got caught up speaking with his team manager.
- Vasbert Drakes was in transit from the West Indies.
- AJ Harris struggled with an injury.
- Ryan Austin’s reasoning is unclear.
- Charles Kunje’s circumstances remain unknown.
Now It’s Your Turn
Should Mathews have been ruled out? Place your vote below.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Angelo Mathews timed out
What does being “timed out” in cricket mean?
Being “timed out” refers to a rule in cricket where if a new batsman does not arrive at the crease ready to face the next ball within a certain time limit after the previous batsman has been dismissed or retired, the incoming batsman can be given out. This time limit is generally three minutes according to the MCC Laws of Cricket but was reduced to two minutes by the ICC for the World Cup.
How did Angelo Mathews make history at the Cricket World Cup?
Angelo Mathews made history by being the first player to be timed out in an international cricket match during the World Cup. The incident occurred in a game against Bangladesh when his helmet strap broke and he was unable to be ready to face the next ball within the two-minute timeframe stipulated by the ICC playing conditions for the World Cup.
What was the reaction to Angelo Mathews being timed out?
The reaction was mixed. Some commentators felt that the spirit of the game had been compromised and that Mathews should have been allowed more time due to the equipment failure. Others believed the rules were applied correctly, highlighting the importance of understanding the specific playing conditions which supersede the general Laws of Cricket.
Has anyone else been timed out in professional cricket before Angelo Mathews?
Yes, there have been six other instances of a batter being timed out in professional cricket, though all of them occurred in domestic first-class matches, making Mathews’ case the first in international and limited-overs cricket.
What are the ICC’s rules regarding a batter being timed out?
According to the ICC’s playing conditions for the World Cup, the incoming batter must be ready to face the next ball within two minutes of the previous batter’s dismissal or retirement. If they are not ready, they can be given out, timed out. This differs from the standard Laws of Cricket, which allow three minutes.
More about Angelo Mathews timed out
- MCC Laws of Cricket
- ICC Playing Conditions
- Cricket World Cup Official Site
- BBC Sport Cricket
- History of Timed Out Dismissals
5 comments
honestly tho, why didn’t Mathews just bat without the helmet? not like a spinner was bowling, right, probably would have saved his wicket.
is it just me or is cricket getting more by the book, what happened to the spirit of the game. Let the man play after his helmet snaped!
Didn’t even know ‘timed out’ was a thing till now! always thought you could take your sweet time walking in… every days a school day huh
oh wow timed out? thats a new one for international cricket, poor Mathews didn’t even get to swing the bat, tough luck mate
harsh call on Mathews but rules are rules, bet everyone will be double checking their gear before heading out to bat after this incident