Angelo Mathews Timed Out:
Amidst thrilling matchups at the ODI World Cup 2023 hosted by India, a historic controversy emerged on Monday (November 6). That day, a highly anticipated match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was played at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium.
This very match saw Sri Lankan player Angelo Mathews dismissed in a bizarre manner, an occurrence unprecedented in the annals of cricket. The umpire deemed Mathews as 'timed out.' This is the first instance in international cricket where a player has been dismissed in this way.
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Mathews' mistake proves costly for himself
The incident unfolded during the 25th over of Sri Lanka's innings, bowled by Bangladesh's captain and spinner Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib managed to get Sadira Samarawickrama caught out on the second ball. Next up on the crease was Angelo Mathews. However, there was a mix-up during this time.
Mathews failed to bring the correct helmet at the crease. On reaching the crease, he gestured to his teammates in the pavilion to bring him another one. But concurrently, Shakib appealed to the field umpire for a 'time out.' Initially, the umpire seemed to take this as a joke, but upon Shakib's insistence, it became clear that the appeal was serious.
In a 146-year history, it happened for the first time
The field umpires conferred and subsequently declared Mathews 'timed out.' Consequently, the Sri Lankan team lost two wickets on a single ball. After the umpire's decision, a dejected Mathews had to leave the field without facing a ball. This was a first in international cricket for a player to be dismissed as 'timed out.'
Speaking of international cricket, Test cricket has been played since 1877. Thereafter, the One Day and T20 International formats were introduced. However, across all these formats, never in 146 years has a batsman been dismissed for being 'timed out.'
What is the 'time out' rule?
According to the playing conditions of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Rule 40.1.1 states that following the fall of a wicket or a batsman retiring, if the umpire does not suspend play, the incoming batsman must be ready to face the next delivery within 3 minutes. Failing to do so results in the batsman being declared 'timed out.' This is referred to as a 'time out.'
Under Rule 40.1.2, if the new batsman doesn't arrive at the pitch within the stipulated time (3 minutes), the umpires will implement the process outlined in Rule 16.3 (regarding the awarding of a match by the umpires), resulting in the batsman being timed out as per the earlier rule.
In the World Cup, the time limit is not 3, but 2 minutes
In Mathews' case, however, a World Cup 2023-specific rule was applied, which shortened the time limit from three to two minutes. It should be noted that a 'time out' dismissal does not count towards the bowler's tally.
Regarding World Cup 2023's playing conditions, Rule 40.1.1 indicates that 'following a wicket fall or a batsman's retirement, if the umpire does not suspend play, the incoming or other batsman must be ready to face the next delivery within two minutes. Failure to meet this requirement leads to being declared timed out.'
