Top Batters Who Have Been Timed Out Before Angelo Mathews

A dejected Angelo Mathews walks back after getting 'timed out' [X.com]

In a world where cricket enthusiasts are well-acquainted with the conventional forms of dismissals like bowled, LBWs, caught and run-outs, there also exists a rather unusual mode of dismissal known as 'Timed Out'. This rare occurrence unfolds whenever a batsman fails to arrive at the crease within a stipulated time following the dismissal of his teammate, the preceding batter, to be exact.

If the fielding team decides to file an appeal, the batsman, in such instances, often faces the ignominious fate of being declared 'out' without even facing a delivery.

Quite recently, Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews fell victim to the ticking clock, in a World Cup game no less, to become the first-ever cricketer in international history to be declared 'timed out'. However, as many as six batters have previously succumbed to this bizarre fate across various domestic competitions around the world.

On the backdrop of Mathews' "un-timely" shocker against Bangladesh at the 2023 World Cup, here at OneCricket, we shed light on those six unfortunate batters who have sustained similar fates in competitive cricket.

List of Batters with ‘Timed-Out’ Dismissals to their name:

1. Andrew Jordaan - Eastern Province vs Transvaal (1988)

South African-based Andrew Jordaan, in one of his final first-class matches for Eastern Province, became the first batter in history to be 'timed out' of a game after failing to arrive at the ground on time. Turning up for his side against Transvaal during the 1988 Howa Bowl season in Port Elizabeth, Jordaan was due to open the innings alongside partner Garth Cuddumbey on Day 1 of their three-day fixture.

However, the cricketer did not arrive at the stadium on time owing to bad road conditions, which itself was a result of a heavy downpour from the preceding evening. The match eventually ended in a draw, with Transvaal concluding proceedings at 66-6 in pursuit of their 144-run target.

2. Hemulal Yadav - Tripura vs Odisha (1997)

Former Tripura cricketer Hemulal Yadav became the first Indian player, and one of only seven to date, to be adjudged 'timed out' when he succumbed to the bizarre mode of dismissal during a 1997-98 Ranji Trophy match. The bowler was dismissed unusually on December 20, 1997, in Cuttack in a match against hosts Odisha.

Then, the Odisha captain and fielders objected to Yadav's late arrival at the crease after they saw him engaged in a conversation with his team manager near the boundary. 

Making no timely efforts to arrive in the middle, his irresponsible dismissal led to the conclusion of Tripura's first innings without being able to avoid the follow-on. Fortunately for them, the match ended in a draw owing to a hard-fought second innings batting resistance.

3. Vasbert Drakes - Border vs Free State (2002)

Vasbert Drakes with Chris Gayle during the 2003 World Cup (x.com)

Former West Indies fast bowler Vasbert Drakes, in 2002, became the first cricketer with international playing experience to get 'timed out' of a competitive match. The incident occurred during a SuperSport series match between Border and Free State in East London in September 2002.

Drakes, due to play for Border as their sole international recruit in the playing XI, was late to arrive at the stadium on Day 1 because he was not in the country at the time. His flight to South Africa was delayed by several hours, and Border eventually crumbled for 172 without his presence as a lower-order batter.

The speedster did pick up two wickets with the ball the following day. However, his side fell short of Free State by an innings and 41 runs.

4. Andrew Harris - Nottinghamshire vs Durham (2003)

Andrew Harris (x.com)

England's domestic veteran Andrew Harris, having claimed nearly 700 wickets across his illustrious journeys for several English counties, once turned up late at the crease during Nottinghamshire's innings against Durham in a 2003 UCCE match.

On Day 1 of their three-day tie, the right-arm fast bowler shattered Durham's batting line-up for just 165 and finished with figures of 4-23 from his ten overs. However, the following day, while batting at number 11 for Nottinghamshire, the then 30-year-old failed to reach the crease on time owing to a sudden lower-order collapse.

His timely blunder, as it turned out, made little difference as Nottinghamshire had already amassed 542 to secure a huge match-winning 377-run first-innings lead.

5. Ryan Austin - Combined Campuses and Colleges vs Windward Island (2014)

Ryan Austin (WICB)

Former West Indies Test player Ryan Austin, while turning up for Combined Campuses And Colleges in their 2014 Regional Four Day match against Windward Island in Kingstown, did not bat in the second innings as a number 11 batter owing to his delayed arrival to the middle.

Until then, the off-spinner had already inflicted enough damage to the Windward Island, having claimed his career-best first-class figures of 8-64 in the first innings. The cricketer claimed three more wickets in the second innings to lead his side to a comfortable 82-run win, and he bagged a 'Player of the Match' award to document his efforts.

6. Charles Kunje - Matabeleland Tuskers vs Mountaineers (2018)

Zimbabwean middle-order batsman Charles Kunje was due to arrive at the crease for Matabeleland Tuskers after they slumped to 53-5 in their 2018 Logan Cup match against Mountaineers in Bulawayo. However, he failed to reach the crease within the three-minute stipulated time and was adjudged out upon the appeal of the fielding team.

The Tuskers subsequently folded up for just 68 and conceded a near 300-run lead to the Mountaineers at the halfway stage. Kunje did bat in the match but could manage only 13 runs in the second innings, as his side lost the contest by ten wickets.

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