Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathews will have the ignominy of becoming the first international cricketer to be 'timed out' after not being ready to face the ball within two minutes of the fall of a wicket during the ICC World Cup match against Bangladesh in Delhi on Monday.
The 36-year-old walked out to bat in the 25th over after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama but had some issues with his helmet strap and signalled for a replacement, prompting Bangladesh to appeal for a 'time out'.
He was seen having an animated discussion with umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth, explaining that he had some issue with the helmet strap but he was asked to leave the field.
The incident occurred just after Shakib Al Hasan had taken the wicket of Samarawickrama, caught by Mahmudullah near the rope.
According to article 40.1.1 of the ICC rules, "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 two minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”
Article 40.1.2 says: "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 (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 two minutes referred to above."
Mathews's dismissal, which was not credited to any bowler as per the rule, left Sri Lanka reeling at 135 for 5 in 24.2 overs.
Though it has never happened in international cricket, there have been instances in domestic cricket, including one in the match between Tripura and Orissa at Cuttack in 1997, when Hemulal Yadav was at the receiving end.
