Timed Out in Cricket — The Rarest Dismissal Explained
Timed out is cricket's rarest dismissal: a batter takes too long to arrive at the crease after a wicket falls. Learn the rules, how long it takes, and the famous Angelo Mathews incident at the 2023 World Cup.
Timed out is one of cricket's ten modes of dismissal and, historically, its rarest. A batter is given out timed out if they fail to be ready to face the next delivery — or if the new batter fails to arrive at the crease — within three minutes of the previous wicket falling. It had never been used in international cricket for over 140 years of the sport's history until 2023.
The Law — What Counts as 'Ready to Face'?
Under Law 40, a new incoming batter must be ready to receive the next ball within three minutes of the previous wicket falling. 'Ready' means they are at the crease and able to face a delivery — not just arriving at the ground or walking onto the field. The fielding captain must appeal for the dismissal; it cannot be applied automatically by the umpires.
The Angelo Mathews Incident — 2023 World Cup
On November 6, 2023, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews became the first player in international cricket history to be dismissed timed out. The match was between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Delhi at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Mathews arrived at the crease in time, but the chin strap of his helmet malfunctioned — he needed it to be replaced. Afghanistan captain Shakib Al Hasan appealed for timed out. The umpires upheld the appeal, and Mathews was given out for 0 off 0 balls without facing a delivery.
The decision was immediately controversial. Mathews was furious, suggesting it was against the spirit of cricket. Shakib argued the laws were clear. The ICC confirmed the decision was correct. Sri Lanka went on to lose the match by 3 wickets. The incident prompted debate about whether the three-minute rule should be relaxed for genuine equipment failures.
Why Is Timed Out So Rare?
- Three minutes is a generous window — most batters arrive well within it
- Fielding captains rarely appeal even when the rule is technically breached, viewing it as unsporting
- Umpires cannot apply the law without a captain's appeal
- Equipment failures (the Mathews case) are unusual and typically accommodated informally
- Even slow walkers from the pavilion can usually cover the distance in under three minutes if motivated
Frequently asked questions
Can a batter be given out timed out in Tests?
Yes. The law applies to all formats of cricket. However, the Mathews dismissal occurred in an ODI. In Test cricket, the same three-minute rule applies, though play is generally slower-paced and this has never arisen.
Does the dismissed batter count in the scorecard?
Yes — a timed out dismissal appears on the scorecard as '(batter name) timed out 0 (0 balls)'. The batter receives a duck, and the dismissal counts against the team's wickets. Mathews' scorecard at the 2023 World Cup shows exactly this.
How does a timed out dismissal affect cricket stats?
It counts as a dismissal for the batting side and is recorded in the match scorecard. It does not credit any bowler with a wicket (since no ball was bowled). The fielding captain receives credit for the appeal but no fielder or bowler benefits in their individual statistics.