Sri Lanka batter becomes first player to be TIMED OUT in international cricket during extraordinary moment

Angelo Mathews has been given out WITHOUT facing a ball against Bangladesh in their World Cup clash.

The Sri Lanka player was TIMED OUT as he came to the crease with the wrong helmet.

He wanted to replace his helmet but the time was already over.

Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan appealed for his wicket after Mathews failed to face a ball within three minutes of his arrival and was given out by the umpire.

The rules states a player must be ready within three minutes of arriving at the crease to face a delivery.

MCC say: "After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out."

Angelo Mathews leaves the field after being timed out. Image: ICC

Mathews wasn't as he had an issue with his helmet. A substitute ran onto the field with another helmet, but it was too late. The 35-year-old protested the decision as he trudged off the pitch. He threw his helmet to the ground and cut a furious figure as he returned to the dressing room.

It's an unprecedented situation as he becomes the first player in men's international cricket to be timed out.

The commentators didn't like the decision as they referenced the spirit of the game.

SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.