Cricket's Timed Out Batters Prior to Angelo Mathews
In the realm of cricket, where enthusiasts are well-versed in typical dismissals like bowled, LBWs, caught, and run-outs, we also encounter uncommon cricket dismissals. One of these unusual cricket dismissals is the 'Timed Out.' This unique event occurs when a batsman doesn't reach the crease within a specified time after the previous batter, their teammate, is dismissed.
In cases where the fielding team chooses to appeal, the batsman frequently suffers the humiliating outcome of being declared 'out' without even receiving a delivery.
Just recently, in a World Cup match, Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews found himself at the mercy of the ticking clock, becoming the first cricketer in international history to receive the 'timed out' verdict. Nonetheless, this unusual fate has befallen as many as six batters in different domestic competitions worldwide before.
We illuminate the stories of those six unfortunate batters who have experienced similar fates in competitive cricket.
Listed below are batters who have been "timed out" or dismissed:
1. Eastern Province vs Transvaal (1988) - Andrew Jordaan
In one of his last first-class matches for Eastern Province, South African Andrew Jordaan has made history as the first batter ever to be 'timed out' in a game. It happened when he failed to arrive at the ground on time for his match against Transvaal during the 1988 Howa Bowl season in Port Elizabeth. On Day 1 of their three-day fixture, Jordaan was supposed to open the innings with his partner Garth Cuddumbey.
Yet, the cricketer failed to reach the stadium punctually due to poor road conditions caused by heavy rainfall the previous evening. The game ultimately concluded in a draw, with Transvaal ending their pursuit of a 144-run target at 66-6.
2. Tripura vs Odisha (1997) - Hemulal Yadav
Hemulal Yadav, a former cricketer from Tripura, achieved the distinction of being the first Indian player, and one of only seven to this day, to receive the 'timed out' decision. This unusual dismissal occurred during a 1997-98 Ranji Trophy match in Cuttack against the host team, Odisha, on December 20, 1997.
At that moment, the Odisha captain and fielders raised objections to Yadav's delayed arrival at the crease as they observed him conversing with his team manager near the boundary.
His lack of prompt effort to reach the pitch resulted in his irresponsible dismissal, leading to the end of Tripura's first innings, which unfortunately couldn't prevent the follow-on. Thankfully, the match ended in a draw due to their determined resistance in the second innings.
3. Border vs Free State (2002) - Vasbert Drakes
In 2002, Vasbert Drakes, a former West Indies fast bowler with international playing experience, secured the distinction of becoming the first cricketer to experience a 'timed out' dismissal in a competitive match. This unusual event occurred during a SuperSport series match between Border and Free State in East London in September 2002.
Drakes, the sole international recruit set to play for Border in their XI, arrived late at the stadium on Day 1 because he wasn't in the country then. His flight to South Africa experienced significant delays, and Border ultimately collapsed for 172 without his contribution as a lower-order batter.
The speedster managed to claim two wickets with the ball on the next day. Nevertheless, his team fell short of Free State by an innings and 41 runs.
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4. Nottinghamshire vs Durham (2003) - Andrew Harris
The domestic veteran Andrew Harris from England, who had amassed nearly 700 wickets throughout his illustrious career with various English counties, arrived late at the crease during Nottinghamshire's innings in a 2003 UCCE match against Durham.
On the first day of their three-day match, the right-arm fast bowler decimated Durham's batting line-up, restricting them to a mere 165 runs and achieving remarkable figures of 4-23 from his ten overs. However, the following day, as Nottinghamshire's number 11 batsman, the then 30-year-old failed to reach the crease on time due to a sudden lower-order collapse.
As it happened, his punctuality error had minimal impact because Nottinghamshire had already accumulated 542 runs, securing a commanding 377-run first-innings lead, ultimately leading them to victory.
5. Combined Campuses and Colleges vs Windward Island (2014) - Ryan Austin
Former West Indies Test player Ryan Austin, playing for Combined Campuses And Colleges in their 2014 Regional Four Day match against Windward Island in Kingstown, was a number 11 batsman in the second innings due to his delayed arrival at the crease.
By that time, the off-spinner had already dealt significant blows to Windward Island, achieving his career-best first-class figures of 8-64 in the first innings. The cricketer added three more wickets in the second innings, guiding his team to a convincing 82-run victory, and he earned the 'Player of the Match' award in recognition of his remarkable contributions.
6. Matabeleland Tuskers vs Mountaineers (2018) - Charles Kunje
In the 2018 Logan Cup match between Matabeleland Tuskers and Mountaineers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwean middle-order batsman Charles Kunje was scheduled to step onto the pitch after his team slumped to 53-5. However, he couldn't make it to the crease within the three-minute time limit, and the fielding team's appeal resulted in his dismissal.
Following Kunje's dismissal, the Tuskers quickly collapsed, managing only 68 runs and conceding a substantial 300-run lead to the Mountaineers by halftime. Kunje did get the chance to bat in the match, but he could only contribute 13 runs in the second innings, and his team ultimately suffered a ten-wicket defeat.
Conclusion -
In the history of cricket, the stories of timed-out batters have always added a touch of uniqueness to the game. Angelo Mathews may have been the first to face this peculiar fate on the international stage, but he certainly wasn't alone. From Vasbert Drakes to Ryan Austin, these instances have left their mark. For the most up-to-date cricket live line information, scores, and insights, turn to the Fast Live Line app and website. With real-time updates and insights from the Live Line Guru, you'll never miss a beat in the cricket world.
