The match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh which was played yesterday became controversial after Sri Lankan batter Angelo Matthews was given timed-out by the umpires on the appeal of Bangladeshi skipper Shakib-al-Hasan. Angelo Matthews is the first batter in the history of 146 yrs of cricket to be given timed-out and this incident hasn’t gone well with the cricket fraternity.
If you are not aware, then let us tell you that timed-out happen when a new batter (who comes after a wicket falls) fails in taking guard on the crease in the stipulated time limit which is 2 minutes. Angelo Matthews came to bat after Sadeera Samarawickrama got out and when he reached the pitch, his helmet’s strap got broke and he asked for the replacement.
The Bangladeshi skipper Shakib-al-Hasan went to the umpires and had a chat after which the umpires gave Angelo Matthews timed out. Though Angelo Matthews had a word with the umpires and Shakib-al-Hasan but the Bangladeshi skipper was in no mood to withdraw his appeal and Matthews had to walk out of the ground.
In the post-match presentation, Angelo Matthews blasted Shakib-al-Hasan and the Bangladeshi team and called this act ‘disgraceful’. He said, “It was obviously disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh. If they want to take wickets like that and stoop down to that level, there’s something wrong, drastically.”
He further said, “It’s very disappointing way that Bangladesh played. If it was mankading or obstructing the field, there’s no issue. Within two minutes I was at the crease, and it was when I was at the crease that my helmet broke. The umpires saw this. I still had five seconds left. After I showed my helmet, the umpires said Bangladesh had appealed. So I asked where common sense was because my two minutes hadn’t passed.”
He further added, “I’ve got no words to explain it. In my 15 years of playing I’ve never seen a team or a player stoop so low. Unfortunately it (the strap breaking) happened against Bangladesh. I don’t think any other team would do that, because it was black and white. It was equipment malfunction. It was a safety issue as well. We know that without a helmet I can’t face the bowling.”
What is your take in this regard? Do let us know.
