Mathews becomes the first to be dismissed timed out in international cricket

Angelo Mathews became the first player ever to be timed out in international cricket after a helmet malfunction in Sri Lanka's World Cup group match against Bangladesh in Delhi, adding further drama to a rivalry not short of it.

Mathews was already on the pitch and in his final preparations before taking strike against Shakib Al Hasan. His helmet strap broke just as he was tightening it around his chin. He called for a replacement helmet, which was run out to him by Chamika Karunaratne. Shakib then appeared to initiate a discussion with umpire Marais Erasmus, after which Mathews, as he was not ready to face his first ball within the two minutes to do so as allowed in the ICC playing conditions, was informed he was timed out.

During the innings break, reserve umpire Adrian Holdstock explained the process behind the dismissal to broadcaster ICC.tv: "The fielding captain initiated the appeal to Marais Erasmus, who was the standing umpire, that he wanted to appeal for timed out."

Mathews was yet to put on the new helmet and Karunaratne was still standing near the pitch when the news of his dismissal was relayed to Mathews. At this stage, at least three minutes and twenty seconds had elapsed since previous batter Sadeera Samarawickrama's dismissal.

Mathews initially seemed to think the umpire was not serious, but quickly wore a worried expression, and engaged in a long discussion with both Erasmus and square-leg umpire Richard Illingworth.

Erasmus then approached Shakib and had a quick discussion (the second between the two), following which Mathews also spoke briefly to Shakib, who offered a consoling tap on Mathews' shoulder. But ultimately, the decision to rule him timed out was upheld, prompting more animated and visibly upset gesturing from Mathews at his broken helmet strap.

At the time of Mathews' being given out formally, Bangladesh had long since broken their huddle, and had taken their places in the field, with Shakib at the top of his mark, ready to bowl.

"As a batsman I think you need to make sure that you have all your equipment in place in order to make sure you get here, because you actually have to be ready to receive the ball within two minutes - not ready to prepare or take your guard," Holdstock told Ian Bishop during the innings break, confirming that no discretion is to be made for equipment malfunction. "So technically, you should be there within maybe 15 seconds to make sure all those things are in place before you actually receive the ball."

Holdstock also said two minutes had already elapsed between the dismissal of Samarawickrama and the strap "becoming an issue" for Mathews. "And in the instance this afternoon, the batter wasn't ready to receive the ball within in those two minutes, even before the strap became an issue for him. The two minutes had already elapsed before he had received the next delivery."

Video footage of the events showed that somewhere between a minute and 50 seconds and a minute and 55 seconds had passed since Samarawickrama had been dismissed.

The ICC playing conditions stipulate clearly that the batter must be ready to receive the ball within two minutes, which Mathews was not: "40.1 Out Timed out 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 two minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed Out."

Mathews was visibly annoyed by the mode of dismissal as he left the field. He kicked the helmet in frustration as he passed out of the playing area and chucked his bat away.

His dismissal left Sri Lanka in significant trouble, at 135 for 5. Charith Asalanka then scored a hundred though, to help his side recover to 279.