Angelo Mathews becomes first batter to be timed out in international cricket

Sri Lankan batter Angelo Mathews on Monday (November 6) became the first player in 146 years of international cricket to be dismissed 'Timed Out'. It happened during the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh ICC World Cup 2023 match in Delhi.

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed and the on-field umpires ruled Mathews Timed Out as he claimed an unwanted piece of history. Timed Out is a mode of dismissal when an incoming batter is given out if he is not at the crease within two minutes of the previous batter's dismissal to face the next ball.

Mathews, who had an issue with his helmet's strap, had long conversations with the on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth, and Shakib, arguing his case. But he did not succeed in overturning the decision.

The incident happened in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings. After Sadeera Samarawickrama was caught by Mahmudullah off Shakib on the second ball of the 25th over, Mathews was the next batter to the crease.

Mathews took some time to walk out to the ground and after he arrived, he called for a change of helmet as the strap was broken. He had reached the crease but was not ready to face the ball as he wanted to change his helmet. And, Shakib appealed for Timed Out and the umpires gave the nod.

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja questioned the umpires over Mathews' Timed Out decision stating that he had reached the crease. "Angelo made his crease then his helmet strap broke. How is that timed out? I'm all for timed out if he doesn't make his crease but this is ridic. No different then a batsman getting to the crease then taking 3 minutes to face up," Khawaja wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Former India opener Gautam Gambhir called the timed out dismissal of Mathews "absolutely pathetic".

According to ICC World Cup 2023 Playing Conditions, there is no provision for the batter to review Timed Out decisions. "Player Review is the process set out in Appendix D by which a player may request a review of any decision taken by the on-field umpires concerning whether or not a batter is dismissed (with the exception of ‘Timed out’)."

There have been six timed out dismissals in the history of first-class cricket.

Here is what the ICC World Cup 2023 Playing Conditions say about Timed Out

40 TIMED OUT

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.

40.1.2 In the event of an extended delay in which no batter comes to the wicket, the umpires shall adopt the procedure of clause 16.2 (ICC Match Referee awarding a match). For the purposes of that clause the start of the action shall be taken as the expiry of the 2 minutes referred to above.

40.2 Bowler does not get credit

The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.