An unusual "out" happened in today’s World Cup cricket match – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan player Angelo Mathews comes to bat. When he was tightening the strap of his helmet, it broke. He asked for a new helmet. A substitute player from Sri Lanka brought the new helmet.
There is an obscure rule in cricket. The new batter has to be ready to face the ball within 3 minutes. During World Cup, it is 2 minutes. Apparently, Mathews’ helmet problem took a little more than 2 minutes.
The Bangladesh bowler and his team appealed to the umpire. And, he declared Mathews is out. In the history of cricket, Mathews was the first player to be declared out in this manner.
I think this is very cheap on the part of Bangladesh Team. Their captain has the right to over rule the umpire and ask Mathews to play. But Shakib Al Hasan was not magnanimous.
People say “mankading” is cheating and unethical even though it is legal. But I would say Timed Out is more outrageous.
In the American Football, there is a severe penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Maybe it is time to introduce unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in cricket also and punish Bangladesh Team. Or is this type of penalty rule already in cricket? I don't know.
Absolutely no sportsman spirit. Shame on them
ReplyDeleteThe above comment was posted by me only. Gowrishankar
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Gowri.
DeleteMathews should have informed the umpire (asked for more time) before umpire declared out. Mathews failed to do this. I am positive that most cricket players or even coach may not aware of this strange rule.
ReplyDeleteCricket also have fines for various stupid reasons for captain or player.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many strange rules in cricket similar to timeout. When a ball hit any object inside the boundary (like a keeper places the helmet on the ground) during the play (shot by batsman) batting side will be awarded 5 penalty runs.
ReplyDeleteIf a ball goes to boundary and the fielder wanted my kick the ball to boundary, 5 run penalty
Thanks for your comments seema. Appreciate your response. I still feel Bangladesh Captain is guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct.
DeleteUmpire didnt declare out, but batsmen felt he was out and walked back to pavilion (Sachin Tendulkar). As a true warrior(sportsmen), Bangladesh captain altered the umpire decision, cricket fans world should have applauded for his true sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteThanks seema.
DeleteAll is fair in love and war. SL captain said it is war. The rules permit. Being the first time, fans are surprised. It will become normal like ‘Mankading’
ReplyDeleteIncidentally there is a lesson.Every minute counts be it in bowling rate or the incoming batsman being fully equipped!
Thanks for your comments Mr. KP. If the situation was reversed will the Bangladesh team accept it as rules permit. I still think it is unsportsmanlike conduct.
DeleteThis only shows that the BNG team in poor light - that it is not confident. Once they gain more international experience, I guess they will gain confidence.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments Rajesh.
DeleteIf Bangladesh had let Mathews play, it surely would have been good sportsmanship. But not doing that was nothing wrong. One can't fault Bangladesh or its captain for that. After all, no rules were broken. The game was played according to the rules, like all games are.
ReplyDeleteI have put up a post, listing out a few other reasons as well on why I felt what happened yesterday was absolutely fair.
https://bpradeepnair.blogspot.com/2023/11/why-angelo-mathews-being-declared-out.html
Thanks for your comments Pradeep. I agree with you. No rules were broken. My point is the umpires and the Bangladesh team should have distinguished between deliberate delay and equipment malfunction.
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