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Angelo Mathews became the first batter ever to be timed out in international cricket after he asked for a helmet change having walked to the pitch, and was not ready to face the ball within the two minutes the ICC playing conditions allow.
The strap of Mathews’ helmet appeared to be broken as he prepared to face the bowling of Shakib Al Hasan, and he soon called for a replacement helmet. He had not taken strike, however, and umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth gave him out.
At the time of his being given out, Bangladesh had long since broken their huddle, and had taken their places in the field, with Shakib at the top of his mark, ready to bowl.
The time at the dismissal of the previous batter was 3:49pm local; the time of Mathews being given out was 3:54. This suggests the umpires had given him more than a minute’s grace before ruling him out. The ICC playing conditions state a new batter needs to be ready to face their first ball within two minutes of arriving.
“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.”
Mathews argued his case animatedly to the umpires, pointing repeatedly at his helmet strap, perhaps to suggest that it had only broken when he had reached the crease, and that a replacement was necessary. He was also seen having a discussion with Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib.
The umpires did not reverse their decision, and Mathews was forced to leave the field, and was visibly annoyed by the mode of dismissal.
His dismissal left Sri Lanka in significant trouble, at 135 for 5.
