“A fractured helmet strap resulted in the Sri Lankan batter’s dismissal in an unusual manner.”
Angelo Mathews made cricket history by becoming the first player ever to be timed out in international cricket. This unusual occurrence took place when Mathews requested a helmet change just after entering the pitch, and he wasn’t ready to face his first ball within the two minutes allowed by the ICC Playing Conditions.
The predicament arose when Mathews’ helmet strap snapped while he was securing it around his chin during his final preparations to face Shakib Al Hasan. By this time, nearly two minutes had already elapsed since the previous batter, Sadeera Samarawickrama, had been dismissed.
Mathews promptly called for a replacement helmet, which was delivered to him by Chamika Karunaratne. Following a discussion with Shakib, however, umpire Marais Erasmus conveyed the news to Mathews that he was out.
Surprisingly, Mathews had not yet put on the new helmet, and Karunaratne was still positioned near the pitch when Mathews received the dismissal verdict. At this point, over three minutes and twenty seconds had passed since Samarawickrama’s dismissal.
Mathews’ initial reaction seemed to be one of disbelief, as he appeared to think the umpire’s decision was a jest. However, that expression of doubt quickly transformed into concern, and he engaged in an extended discussion with both Erasmus and square-leg umpire Richard Illingworth.
Erasmus subsequently approached Shakib for a brief conversation, marking the second such exchange between them. Following this, Mathews briefly conversed with Shakib, who offered a consoling tap on Mathews’ shoulder. Despite these interactions, the decision to rule him timed out was upheld, leading to Mathews displaying more animated and visibly upset gestures, primarily directed at his damaged helmet strap.
At the time Mathews was deemed out, the Bangladesh team had already broken their huddle and taken their positions in the field, with Shakib ready to bowl from the top of his mark.
The ICC Playing Conditions clearly state that the batter must be prepared to face the ball within two minutes of a wicket falling or a batter’s retirement, unless Time has been called. Mathews was clearly not in compliance with this requirement, as outlined in section 40.1 of the Playing Conditions, which states:
“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 two minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed Out.”
Mathews’ departure from the field was marked by evident frustration at the unconventional nature of his dismissal. In his annoyance, he kicked his helmet and discarded his bat as he exited the playing area.
This unexpected turn of events left Sri Lanka in a precarious position, with the scoreboard showing 135 for 5. However, Charith Asalanka’s exceptional performance eventually propelled his team to a total of 279, orchestrating a remarkable recovery.
Mathews’ departure from the field was marked by evident frustration at the unconventional nature of his dismissal. In his annoyance, he kicked his helmet and discarded his bat as he exited the playing area.
This unexpected turn of events left Sri Lanka in a precarious position, with the scoreboard showing 135 for 5. However, Charith Asalanka’s exceptional performance eventually propelled his team to a total of 279, orchestrating a remarkable recovery.