In the long and rich history of cricket, we have seen batsmen get out in many ways—bowled, caught, LBW, and run out are the most common. But there is one type of dismissal that is so rare, it had never happened in over 140 years of international cricket. That is, until the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
This is the story of Angelo Mathews and how he became the first-ever cricketer to be dismissed as “Timed Out” in an international match.
What Happened on That Day?
To understand this historic moment, let’s set the scene.
- The Match: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh
- The Tournament: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
- The Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, India
During Sri Lanka’s innings, a batsman, Sadeera Samarawickrama, got out. The next batsman to come in was the experienced all-rounder, Angelo Mathews. He walked to the crease as usual.
Here is a step by step breakdown of what happened next:
- Mathews Arrives: Mathews walked to the wicket, ready to face the bowler.
- The Helmet Problem: As he was getting ready and tightening his helmet, the strap broke. A helmet is essential for a batsman’s safety, so he could not play without a secure one.
- A Call for a New Helmet: Mathews immediately signaled to his team’s dressing room, asking for a replacement helmet.
- The Appeal: While this was happening, the Bangladesh captain, Shakib Al Hasan, saw that time was running out. He went to the umpire and made an appeal for a “Timed Out” dismissal.
- The Umpire’s Decision: The umpires, Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth, had a conversation with Shakib, asking him if he was serious about the appeal and wanted to withdraw it. Shakib said no. Since the appeal was made and not withdrawn, the umpires had no choice but to follow the rules and declare Angelo Mathews out.
Mathews was shocked and tried to explain the situation, but it was too late. He had to walk back to the pavilion without facing a single ball, becoming a part of cricket history for a reason no player ever wants.
What is the ‘Timed Out’ Rule in Cricket?
To understand why the umpire had to make that decision, we need to know the rule. The “Timed Out” rule is part of the Laws of Cricket, specifically MCC Law 40.
- The Rule: The law says that after a wicket falls, the next batsman must be ready to face the ball (or be at the other end ready to run) within a certain time limit.
- The Time Limit: In regular international matches, the time limit is 3 minutes. However, for the Cricket World Cup 2023, this was changed to 2 minutes.
- Why does this rule exist? It is in place to stop teams from wasting time on purpose and to make sure the game keeps moving forward.
In Angelo Mathews’ case, by the time his helmet strap broke and he realized he needed a new one, more than two minutes had passed since the previous wicket had fallen. Even though the delay was due to an equipment issue, the rule does not make an exception for it.
The Controversy: Was It Fair?
This dismissal caused a huge debate in the cricket world. People had very strong opinions on whether it was the right thing to do.
The Argument For “Spirit of Cricket”: Many former players and fans felt that Shakib’s appeal was against the “spirit of cricket.” They argued that Mathews was not trying to waste time; he had a genuine problem with his equipment. They believed that the game should be played with fairness and sportsmanship, and the appeal should have been withdrawn.
The Argument For “Following the Rules”: On the other hand, many people supported Shakib Al Hasan. They said that the rule is the rule, and it is written for everyone. Famous player Shakib was within his rights as a captain to make an appeal. He later said in an interview that he was “at war” and would do anything to win for his team, as long as it was within the laws of the game.
Conclusion: A Moment We Will Never Forget
Whether you think it was fair or not, the “Timed Out” dismissal of Angelo Mathews is a moment that will be discussed for years to come. It was a historic event that showed how complex and interesting the rules of cricket can be.
