THERE was huge controversy at the Cricket World Cup after a batter was given out despite not facing a ball.
Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews was the victim of a little-known rule to the delight of Bangladesh.
The 35-year-old all-rounder was suddenly not ready for his first delivery.
Mathews had a problem with his helmet and complained about the strap.
He took it off and went to the sidelines where the Sri Lankan team tried to fix the issue.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's captain Shakib Al Hasan had appealed to the official citing the time limit rule.
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Cricket laws state that a batter must be ready to hit the first delivery inside three minutes.
However, in the World Cup, it is brought down to just two minutes.
When Mathews did not return to the crease within the allocated time, he was subsequently given his marching orders.
He complained to the umpire but failed to convince him to change his mind – or for Bangladesh to withdraw their appeal – as he threw his helmet in anger.
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It's the first time in international cricket history that someone has been timed out.
MCC law 40.1 reads: "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."
Fans slammed Bangladesh, one said: "Absolutely pathetic."
Another added: "This is the worst sportsmanship I have ever seen."
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