Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews became the first batter ever to be “timed out” in international cricket after he failed to face the ball within the two minutes the ICC playing conditions allow after walking to the pitch, ESPNcrinifo reported.

Umpire Marais Erasmus and Richard Illingworth gave him out without facing a single delivery after he had not taken strike in the stipulated time during Sri Lanka’s game against Bangladesh in the World Cup on Monday.

It was the first instance in international cricket, men’s or women’s, that a batter was dismissed according to the timed out law.

The incident happened in the 25th over of the Sri Lanka innings when Shakib Al Hasan dismissed Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Mathews’ walked in to bat at No.6.

However, the strap of Mathews’ helmet appeared to be broken and called for a replacement helmet.

As per ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 playing conditions pertaining to “timed out” dismissals, “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.”