The ‘timed out’ rule, though one of the sport’s oldest regulations, has seen rare applications in domestic cricket globally. However, Mathews’ dismissal marked the first instance of this rule being invoked in international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) promptly released a statement elucidating the dismissal’s basis according to the tournament’s playing conditions. The rule, as stated, reads as follows:
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.
This rule deviates slightly from the MCC’s definition for other international matches, where batters are granted three minutes to take their place in the middle.
Sri Lanka eventually concluded their innings at 279 runs for the loss of all wickets in 49.3 overs, with Charith Asalanka making an impressive contribution of 108 runs from 105 balls. Asalanka, reflecting on Mathews’ dismissal, remarked, “My point is that Mathews’ dismissal was not good for the spirit of cricket, even though it is within the rules.” The incident sparked a conversation on the balance between adhering to the rules and upholding the spirit of the game in the world of cricket.
