Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews has become the first player to be timed out in international cricket.

The mode of dismissal was brought into the limelight during today’s ICC Cricket World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Mathews had walked out to bat after the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket but the strap of his helmet broke as he was tightening it around his chin.

ESPNcricinfo reports that, by this point, almost two minutes had passed since Samarawickrama’s dismissal.

Mathews called for a replacement helmet but after a discussion with Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan, Mathews was told he had been timed out.

According to the ICC’s Playing Conditions 40.1.1, “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 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”

While responses to the incident have included the opinion that “the rules are the rules”, there has also been some criticism by former players.

Absolutely pathetic what happened in Delhi today! #AngeloMathews

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 6, 2023

Angelo made his crease then his helmet strap broke. How is that timed out? I’m all for timed out if he doesn’t make his crease but this is ridic. No different then a batsman getting to the crease then taking 3 minutes to face up 🤦🏽‍♂️#cricketworldcup

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) November 6, 2023

Well, that wasn’t cool ⏰

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) November 6, 2023

(Photo credit: ICC Cricket World Cup on Facebook)