On Monday, November 06, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka became entangled in controversy when Angelo Mathews was declared “timed out,” becoming the first batter in the history of international cricket to get that designation. According to the tournament’s rules of play, the Sri Lankan batter had two minutes to prepare to face the ball before the incident occurred in the 25th over of the first innings.
Notably, Angelo Mathews helmet strap had fallen loose, and prior to his first delivery, the batter requested that the equipment be replaced.
But in the meantime, the two minutes he was allowed to prepare had passed, and on an appeal from Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, he was declared timed out.
Fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock gave a detailed explanation of the full sequence of events that resulted in the most unprecedented dismissal in the history of international cricket after the first innings concluded. Adrian Holdstock clarified the regulations, saying that the World Cup 2023 laws take precedence over the MCC laws, which allow the batter three minutes to prepare after a wicket is taken.
“First, let me say that the World Cup playing rules supersede the MCC cricket statutes. The next batter must be in position to receive the ball within two minutes of the call of “timed out.” In an ICC (International Cricket Council) film, Adrian Holdstock stated, “At the fall of a wicket, the TV umpire monitors the two minutes and relays the message through to the on-field umpires.”
Even before the helmet strap came off, Mathews had already used up his allotted two minutes, according to the fourth umpire. Shakib then appealed to Marais Erasmus, the on-field umpire.
“In the case this afternoon, even before the strap started to cause him problems, the batter wasn’t prepared to receive the ball inside those two minutes. Just after the helmet strap came loose, the fielding captain requested a timed out from standing umpire Marais Erasmus, according to the playing conditions, he said.
Adrian Holdstock went on to say that since Mathews had used all his two minutes of preparation time before his helmet became a problem, the state of his helmet was not taken into account when he was eliminated. He also instructed batters to ensure that all of their equipment was in place and to be out in the middle in 15 seconds or less.
As a batsman, you must ensure that everything you need is ready: Adrian Holdstock
“As a batsman, you have to make sure that everything you need is here before you actually get to receive the ball. This includes getting ready and raising your guard in less than two minutes. Thus, in theory, you ought to arrive there in fifteen seconds or less to ensure that everything is set up before you take the field for the first time, Adrian Holdstock said.
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The cricket community is split on the controversial choice, with some blaming the Bangladesh captain for failing to take Mathews’ helmet condition into account and others supporting him.
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