An historic event unfolded in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Angelo Mathews, the cricketer, experienced the first-ever timed out in an international match. It happened during the Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh league game.
Following Sadeera Samarawickrama’s out in the 25th over, Angelo Mathews came in to bat. An issue with his helmet caused a delay; he needed a replacement.
An appeal from Bangladesh’s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, resulted. It stirred up much talk, not only among ex-players but fans too.
One side said that Angelo Mathews was not at fault and that sending him back without even facing a delivery violated the “Spirit of Cricket.” On the other side, others said Shakib had every right to appeal because Angelo Mathews had surpassed the time restriction after going into bat.
When all is said and done, the rule book proves final, leading to Angelo Mathews’ dismissal. This seasoned Sri Lankan player became the inaugural cricket professional to be timed out internationally. However, this isn’t a premier instance of such an event in the sport.
The manner of dismissal has been used on multiple times recently, mostly in domestic contests across the world. Angelo Mathews’ exit was caused by a broken helmet strap, and other hitters have been timed out for equally unusual causes.
On that topic, let us look at the strange reasons why five batters were timed out in cricket.
1. Angelo Mathews (Broken helmet strap)
As previously said, Angelo Mathews was going to take guard when he paused for a moment to tighten his helmet strap. As a result, the strap snapped at one end, and he sought a replacement from the dressing room.
The replacement helmet took some time to arrive, during which time Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed to on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth.
Angelo Mathews made every effort to prove his innocence and asked Shakib to abandon his appeal. However, the Bangladesh squad stood steadfast in their stance, culminating in the removal of the Sri Lankan.
After passing the boundary, the all-rounder hurled the damaged helmet and stated his case to match officials and the Sri Lanka coaching staff.
Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis was also spotted speaking with Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurasingha and the fourth umpire. During the mid-innings break, Centurion Charith Asalanka stated that the judgment against Angelo Mathews was not in accordance with the Spirit of Cricket.
2. Andrew Jordaan (Floods)
Andrew Jordaan of Eastern Province was the first player to be timed out in first-class cricket.
He was undefeated at the end of the day’s play in a domestic match versus Transvaal in Port Elizabeth, but he couldn’t make it in time for the start of the next day’s play due to flooding.
He was trapped when the roads were closed owing to the heavy rains, causing him to be timed out.
3. Hemulal Yadav (Discussion with team manager)
Hemulal Yadav’s timed-out dismissal was the first and only occasion in India that a batter was removed in this manner. Hemulal Yadav was scheduled to bat as the penultimate batter in a Ranji Trophy match between Orissa and Tripura, with the score 235-9.
He had even been padded up for the occasion, but according to Brian Levison of Amazing & Extraordinary Facts: Cricket, he “was still deep in conversation with his team manager on the edge of the boundary when play was due to resume.”
Furthermore, Yadav simply sat at the boundary line, making no attempt to come out to bat. This prompted the Orissa side to file an appeal, as well as the loss of the final wicket.
4. Vasbert Drakes (Middle of a flight)
Vasbert Drakes was scheduled to participate in the domestic match between Border and Free State in East London, but he was unable to do so since he was still traveling.
Drakes was in Colombo for a West Indies match versus Sri Lanka, and his flight from there was delayed.
when a result, he was unable to bat when Border were bowled out for 172 on Day 1. He returned to the field on the second day and finished with numbers of 2-45.
5. AJ Harris ( Groin injury)
Andrew Harris missed out on batting for Nottinghamshire versus Durham UCCE in 2003 due to a groin ailment. He attempted to bat but was unable to do it in time, resulting in his ejection without even facing a delivery.
Nottinghamshire were cruising at 528-5 at one point after bowling Durham out for a meager 165 in the first innings. With Chris Read undefeated on 94, the wounded Harris sought to step out to bat to assist the batsman in reaching his century.
He was told to be ready before the ninth wicket fell. The wounded player, on the other hand, took his time changing out of his tracksuit, during which time the ninth wicket fell.
He strolled out of the pavilion without realizing it, having changed into his gear, but he noticed the players and umpires making their way off the field as the innings ended with the timed-out ejection.
Ryan Austin and Charles Kunje are two other players who have been fired in a similar fashion, although the cause for their dismissal is unknown.