After ‘Timed Out’ Controversy, Angelo Mathews Reaches Crease in Just 1 Minute and 6 Seconds Against NZ Match

Bengaluru: During the ICC Cricket World Cup league match against New Zealand in Bengaluru on Thursday, Sri Lanka’s star all-rounder, Angelo Mathews, found himself back in the spotlight, reaching the crease in just 1 minute and 6 seconds after the dismissal of Kusal Perera.

However, it was the previous match that had cricket lovers , experts, and the sporting world discussed most hot topic. Angelo Mathews made history as the first batsman in international cricket to be given a ‘timed out,’ sparking a huge debate.

The ‘timed out’ controversy unfolded after Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for Mathews’ dismissal. This appeal came as Mathews took over two minutes to prepare to face the ball, in adherence to Cricket World Cup rules. The decision stirred widespread discussions, with many criticizing it as a lack of sportsmanship on the part of the Bangladesh captain and many claimed Shakib was right as the rules say it and according to the rule he was given ‘timed out’.

Mathews took time to face the first ball, as his helmet had a faulty strap after the fall of the last wicket. In the press conference, Mathews expressed his displeasure, questioning the necessity of Bangladesh’s appeal and emphasized the critical issue of player safety.

“We speak a lot about the safety of players while playing the match. Should I have faced the pacer with a faulty helmet?” Mathews questioned, underscoring the potential risks associated with compromised safety gear.

The aftermath of the match saw strained relations, with Sri Lankan players opting not to shake hands after Bangladesh emerged victorious.

In a surprising turn of events during the final league match, Mathews, determined to put the controversy behind him, took only 1 minute and 6 seconds after the departure of Kusal Perera to reach the crease.

Adding intrigue to the ongoing narrative, an incident unfolded during the England vs Netherlands Cricket World Cup match. Social media posts suggested that England star Chris Woakes encountered helmet-related problems. Woakes, seemingly cautious after the Mathews controversy, promptly showed the issue to the umpires to avoid facing a ‘timed out’ situation.