'Batter Wasn't Ready to Receive the Ball Within 2 Minutes Even Before Strap Became Issue': Reserve Umpire on Angelo Mathews' Timed-out Dismissal

Adrian Holdstock, reserve umpire for the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka contest, shed light on Angelo Mathews’ timed-out dismissal and revealed that he was not ready to face the ball within two minutes, even before the strap became an issue for him.

The former Sri Lanka captain became the first man to suffer a dismissal in the history of international cricket.

According to the ICC playing conditions for the World Cup, after the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batsman, the incoming player must be ready to receive the ball within two minutes.

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The dismissal became a topic of discussion as some referred to it against the spirit of cricket.

Holdstock had a chat with Ian Bishop during the innings break where he shared details of the dismissal.

“I just like to say that and mentioned that now ICC World Cup playing conditions, superseded the MCC laws of cricket. When it comes to timed-out – at the fall the wicket, or even the retirement of a batsman, the incoming batter has to be in position and ready to receive the ball within two minutes, always other partners to receive the ball within two minutes. And we have certain protocols here within the PCT where the tv umpire at a fall of wicket, he basically monitors the two minutes and he will then relay the message through to the on-field umpires. And in the instance, this afternoon, the batter wasn’t ready to receive the ball within those two minutes even before the strap, what became an issue for him,” Holdstock told Star Sports.

The reserve umpire also suggested that Shakib Al Hasan appealed to the on-field umpire Marias Erasmus for the timed-out.

“Yeah. So the two minutes had already elapsed before he had to receive the next delivery. According to the playing conditions, the fielding captain requested or initiated the appeal to Marias Erasmus who was the standing umpire that he went to appeal for timed-out. Just off the strap came loose, the fielding captain, basically requested to appeal for timed-out.” he added.

Holdstock further asserted that a batter should be ready and check all their equipment and be there on the pitch within 15 seconds.

“As a batsman I think you need to make sure that you have all your equipment in place in order to make sure you get here, because you actually have to be ready to receive the ball within two minutes – not ready to prepare or take your guard. So technically you should be there within maybe 15 seconds to make sure all those things are in place before you actually receive the ball,” he added.