Sri Lanka’s veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews was left stunned as he became the first batter to be dismissed timed-out in international cricket and not just in World Cups. A fresh spark was added to the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh rivalry as Shakib Al Hasan appealed for timed-out as Mathews took more than two minutes (compared to three minutes) to face his first ball due to a broken helmet strap that needed replacing.
As Shakib appealed, Mathews tried to make his case that he did not come with a broken helmet but the malfunction while he was adjusting it. After a heated exchange, Mathews was asked to leave without facing a single ball. The controversy infused life into a near-dead rubber as Mathews talked to Shakib as well and he asked him to talk to the umpires.
What does the MCC rulebook say?
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 3 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 Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match). For the purposes of that Law the start of the action shall be taken as the expiry of the 3 minutes referred to above.
40.2 Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
Sri Lankan captain talked to the Bangladesh coach too
Later, skipper Kusal Mendis had a word with Bangladesh coach, former Sri Lankan cricketer Chandika Hathurusinghe. But the decision was not reversed. Russell Arnold who was in the commentary box was not happy with the series of events at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
Mujeeb did not get similar treatment
Earlier in this World Cup, Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman forgot to wear the box when he came out to bat. He asked his teammate to get it for him after walking into the ground. Bangladesh skipper did not appeal for a time-out then.
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