Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews was the victim of one of the most bizarre dismissals in the history of the game after being timed out in the 2023 Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Feeling that he was unfairly excluded for an act contrary to the spirit of the game, Mathews did not hesitate to express his frustration and anger at his dismissal. After the match, Mathews shared the evidence, countering the fourth referee’s explanation of the dismissal and saying he made the crease in the stipulated 2-minute timeline.
Mathews was given a timeout for failing to get to the crease within two minutes of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s dismissal. Shakib appealed and the umpire decided to send Mathews back as it was within the laws of World Cup cricket. Mathews had a discussion with Shakib but ultimately did not reverse his decision, forcing the veteran all-rounder to leave.
After Sri Lanka’s defeat, Mathews further said that they have video evidence that he was at the crease within two minutes and they will make a statement later.
Mathews shared the video evidence, writing on mean, safety comes first because I just couldn’t handle the bowler without a helmet.”
The 4th referee is wrong here! Video evidence shows I still had 5 seconds even after the helmet failed! Can the 4th referee please put this right? I mean safety comes first because I just couldn’t handle the bowler without a helmet
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) November 6, 2023
When former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold highlighted the ICC playing conditions, which suggest the batsman should be ready for the delivery within two minutes, Mathews argued that he could not be ready because of a problem with the helmet, not because he was late.
Yes it was done before those 2 minutes! Can’t face the bowler without the helmet?
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) November 6, 2023
Proof! From the moment the catch was made and the helmet strap came off pic.twitter.com/2I5ebIqkGZ
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) November 6, 2023
Even a still from the broadcaster suggested Mathews had reached the crease within the two-minute timeline.
Star Sports timer shows Angelo Mathews reached his crease 10 seconds before the official 2-minute timer. pic.twitter.com/Iws2ZZmcGI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 6, 2023
When the fourth referee was asked about the incident, he suggested that Mathews had already exhausted the two-minute timeline before the helmet issue occurred. However, according to the Sri Lanka all-rounder, that was not the case.
“Obviously, you’re all playing to win. And if it’s within the rule, that’s fine. But the rule clearly says, in my incident today, I was there within two minutes. We have video evidence. We’ll have a later make a statement We have video evidence, footage, everything has been looked at. I’m not here just saying things. I’m talking with evidence,” Mathews said at the post-match press conference.
“So we have video evidence that shows that from the moment the catch was made, from the moment I walked into the crease, I had five seconds left after I broke my helmet. So we’re talking about player safety – y’all Tell me is it right for me to be on guard without my helmet on? It’s just pure common sense,” he added.
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