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'We Have Certain Protocols..'- Fourth Umpire Sheds Light On Mathews’ Timed Out Dismissal

image-lon0w03bAngelo Mathews having a word with the umpire. (X com)

Controversy marred the 2023 World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh when veteran Angelo Mathews became the first batter in international cricket history to be timed out. 

Mathews faced an unfortunate dismissal as he was deemed out even before facing a delivery due to not being ready to take strike within the stipulated 2 minutes, as per the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules.

Adrian Holdstock, the fourth umpire in the ongoing match, shed light on the incident. He clarified how Mathews was given out and who appealed for the timed out ruling:

"The ICC World Cup playing conditions supersedes the MCC Laws of Cricket. When it comes to time the time dart, a fall of the wicket or in case of retirement of a batter, the incoming batter should be in a position to receive the ball in 2 minutes and we've certain protocols within the PCT, where the TV umpire at the fall of wicket monitors the 2 minutes," explained Adrian Holdstock during the mid-innings break.

"He'll pass on the message to the on-field umpires and the incident that occured in the afternoon the batsman was not prepared to face the ball even before the strap came out. It was the fielding captain (Shakib Al Hasan) who appealed for the time out to on field umpire Marais Erasmus. And he appealed for the time out after the strap came out,"  he added.

Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan made the dramatic appeal during the 25th over. The on-field umpires upheld the appeal, ruling Mathews out. The incident occurred when Angelo Mathews's helmet strap broke just as he was about to mark his guard at the striker's end. Without informing the umpire or the opposition captain, Mathews delayed taking strike by requesting a new helmet.

Regrettably, the umpires accepted Bangladesh's appeal, instructing Angelo Mathews to walk back to the pavilion. The former Sri Lankan captain expressed his frustration with the decision, engaging in a lengthy but unsuccessful argument. He even discussed the matter with Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan, who was adamant about not retracting the appeal.

Mathews showed his frustration by throwing his helmet as he left the field. Sri Lanka's captain, Kusal Mendis, who was dismissed for 19 earlier in the innings, approached the Sri Lankan cricket team's support staff and Bangladesh's head coach as Mathews vented his frustration.

This incident has sparked discussions within the cricketing community regarding the spirit of the game, drawing criticism toward Shakib and the entire Bangladesh team.