Angelo Mathews of Sri Lanka communicates with the umpires following his timeout during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh on Monday at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.(ANI).
In a thrilling encounter between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, a peculiar incident left cricket fans around the world in shock. Angelo Mathews, the talented Sri Lankan all-rounder, was declared timed out, leading to an uproar in the cricketing community. Mathews claims to have video evidence supporting his case, suggesting that the umpires might have erred in their decision. Let's delve into this unusual incident and explore the various aspects surrounding it.
The Incident Unfolds
The fateful event took place in the 25th over of Sri Lanka's innings when Angelo Mathews was set to join the action after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama. As he entered the field, Mathews noticed an issue with his helmet strap and immediately requested a replacement. This action led to a sequence of events that would go down in cricketing history.
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who had just taken a wicket with the second ball of his over, decided to appeal for a time-out. The appeal caught everyone by surprise, as such incidents are exceptionally rare in international cricket. Mathews, realizing the gravity of the situation, pleaded with the umpires, Richard Illingworth and Marais Erasmus, and Shakib to reconsider the decision. However, his pleas fell on deaf ears, and Mathews was declared timed out, making him the first cricketer to receive this unique dismissal in international cricket.
The Laws of Cricket Regarding Timed Out Dismissal
The laws of cricket, specifically the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup playing condition 40.1.1, state that after a batsman's dismissal, the incoming batsman has only two minutes to face the new ball and get ready. In Mathews' case, he exceeded this time limit due to the need to replace his helmet strap, which ultimately led to his timed-out dismissal.
In the broader context of the game, the laws require a batsman to be prepared to face the first ball within three minutes of the previous dismissal. However, in World Cup matches, this time frame is shortened to just two minutes. Unfortunately for Mathews, the playing conditions do not make allowances for equipment malfunctions as a valid reason for extending this time limit.
Could the Appeal Have Been Withdrawn?
An important question arises: could Shakib have withdrawn his appeal, considering the circumstances? It was later revealed that the on-field umpires did ask Shakib twice to reconsider his decision. However, the Bangladesh captain stood firm and decided to maintain his appeal. Given the situation, some argue that the umpires should have considered Mathews' broken helmet strap and exercised their discretion, giving him the benefit of the doubt.
The controversial incident has ignited debates in the cricketing world, with opinions divided on whether the laws were correctly applied or if there should have been some leeway granted to Angelo Mathews due to the equipment malfunction.
Conclusion
The timed-out dismissal of Angelo Mathews in the World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh is undoubtedly an incident that will be remembered for years to come. While the laws of cricket were followed to the letter, questions remain about whether a more flexible interpretation of the rules could have been applied, considering the exceptional circumstances.
As cricket continues to evolve, these incidents remind us that the sport's rich history is not without its moments of controversy and debate.
FAQs
Q1. Is timed out a common dismissal in cricket?
No, timed out is an extremely rare form of dismissal in cricket, with very few instances in the history of the game.
Q2. What was the significance of Mathews' timed out dismissal in the World Cup?
Angelo Mathews' timed out dismissal during the World Cup match was significant as it was the first time this dismissal type was recorded in international cricket.
Q3. Did the laws of cricket permit Angelo Mathews' timed out dismissal?
According to the laws, Mathews' timed out dismissal was technically correct, as he exceeded the allowed time to face the new ball.
Q4. Could Shakib have withdrawn the appeal to save Angelo Mathews from being timed out?
Shakib had the opportunity to withdraw the appeal but chose not to, resulting in Mathews' timed out dismissal.
Q5. How has this incident affected the World Cup and the sport of cricket in general?
The incident has sparked discussions about the interpretation of cricket laws and the need for flexibility in unique situations, adding to the sport's rich history of debates and controversies.
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