Who was the first player to take a wicket on 0th ball in men’s international cricket
Angelo Mathews and the Historic First Timed-Out Dismissal in Men’s International Cricket
Cricket has always been known for its rich traditions, dramatic moments, and rare dismissals that captivate fans across the world. Among the least common forms of dismissal is being “timed out,” an occurrence so rare that until 2023, it had never happened in men’s international cricket. That changed dramatically when Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews became the first player ever to be dismissed timed out in men’s international cricket history — without a single ball being bowled.
Let’s dive into the full story behind this unprecedented moment and understand what makes it so historic.
What Happened?
Match Details
- Event: ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
- Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
- Date: November 6, 2023
- Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India
During the high-pressure World Cup match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Angelo Mathews walked out to bat after the fall of a wicket. However, just as he was preparing to take strike, he noticed that the strap of his helmet was broken — a critical safety issue that needed immediate fixing.
As Mathews struggled to sort out his helmet problem, more than two minutes passed without him being ready to face the next delivery. Recognizing this, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan and his team appealed to the umpires for a “timed out” dismissal — a legitimate but extremely rare form of dismissal under cricket laws.
After consultation, the umpires upheld the appeal. Angelo Mathews was declared timed out, sending shockwaves through the cricketing world.
Understanding the “Timed Out” Rule
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket:
Law 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 face the next delivery or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next delivery within three minutes (reduced to two minutes in many international tournaments).
If the batter is not ready in time and the fielding side appeals, the batter can be given out timed out.
Key points:
- No ball is bowled.
- No bowler is credited with the wicket.
- It counts as a dismissal against the batting side.
In the 2023 World Cup, the time limit was two minutes, as per ICC playing conditions.
Why Was This Dismissal So Controversial?
While the dismissal was technically within the laws, it sparked a massive debate:
- Sri Lanka and many cricketing fans felt it was against the “spirit of the game” to appeal for a timed out due to an equipment malfunction, something out of Mathews’ control.
- Bangladesh, on the other hand, defended their decision, pointing out that the rules were clear and needed to be enforced.
- Some cricket legends expressed sympathy for Mathews, suggesting common sense and sportsmanship could have prevailed.
- Others argued that players should be ready to bat immediately and that strict enforcement ensures fairness.
Ultimately, the rules were applied as written — and cricket history was made.
The Historic Significance
Angelo Mathews’ dismissal holds a unique place in cricket history:
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| First ever “timed out” dismissal in men’s international cricket | ✅ |
| No ball was bowled for the dismissal | ✅ |
| No bowler credited with the wicket | ✅ |
| Happened in a World Cup match, adding global visibility | ✅ |
Before this, “timed out” had only been recorded six times in first-class cricket but never in international matches involving men.
Other Rare Forms of Dismissal
While dismissals like bowled, caught, or LBW dominate the game, cricket laws recognize several rare forms of getting out:
- Handled the ball (now subsumed into “obstructing the field”)
- Obstructing the field
- Hit the ball twice
- Timed out
- Retired out (without injury)
The “timed out” dismissal is now officially no longer a hypothetical at the international level, thanks to this moment.
Conclusion
The Angelo Mathews “timed out” incident will be remembered as one of cricket’s most dramatic and controversial moments. It reminds fans and players alike that cricket is not just a game of skill and endurance, but also one of strict adherence to rules — and sometimes ruthless opportunism.
Regardless of which side of the debate you fall on, one thing is clear: November 6, 2023, will forever be etched in cricket history as the day the “0th ball wicket” became real in men’s international cricket.
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