Timed Out in Cricket: The Law That Rarely Gets Used
Timed out is one of cricket's most obscure dismissals — learn what triggers it, the exact timeframe allowed, and the controversy surrounding its first international use.
What Is Timed Out?
Timed out is a method of dismissal under Law 40 of the MCC Laws of Cricket. It applies when an incoming batter fails to be ready to face a ball or to join their batting partner at the wicket within three minutes of the previous wicket falling.
The Three-Minute Rule
From the moment a wicket falls, the incoming batter has three minutes to reach the crease and be ready to face. 'Ready to face' does not mean the delivery must have been bowled — the batter simply needs to be at the crease, equipment in order, and prepared to receive. If they fail to arrive in time, the fielding side can appeal and the batter is given out timed out.
Is Timed Out Automatic?
No. Like all dismissals except run-outs in some circumstances, timed out requires an appeal from the fielding side. The umpires do not intervene without an appeal. In practice, teams almost never appeal for timed out because the batter typically arrives within the timeframe, or the fielding side is unaware of their right to appeal.
The 2023 World Cup Controversy
The first documented timed out dismissal in international cricket occurred at the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup when Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was given out after a helmet strap malfunction caused him to exceed the three-minute window. Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed, and the umpires upheld the dismissal. The incident sparked worldwide debate about sportsmanship, the spirit of cricket, and the strict application of technical laws.
In the Scorebook
A timed out dismissal appears in the scorecard as: 'timed out' with no bowler credited, since no ball was bowled. The batter scores zero runs and their innings is recorded as timed out in all statistical databases.
Frequently asked questions
Has timed out ever been used in Test cricket before 2023?
No documented timed out dismissal had occurred in Test cricket before the Angelo Mathews case in the 2023 ODI World Cup. It remains one of the least-used laws in cricket history.
What happens if the batter is delayed by injury or equipment failure?
The law does not formally distinguish between intentional delay and genuine hardware failure. The umpires have some discretion in unusual circumstances, but ultimately the fielding side's appeal determines whether the law is applied.
Can a captain withdraw a timed out appeal?
Yes. If the fielding captain feels the dismissal is unsporting — for example, because the delay was genuine and involuntary — they can withdraw the appeal and the batter continues their innings.