08 Nov 2023 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Angelo Mathews walks back to the pavilion after he was timed out
By Champika Fernando
Livid at the ‘dirty tactics’ used by Bangladesh Skipper Shakib Al Hasan and his team to get him timed out - the first such case in international cricket – Angelo Mathews labelled the act a ‘disgrace’ that no other team would ever have committed.
“It’s obviously disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh,” a furious Mathews, said at the post-match media conference.
“If they want to play cricket like that, stoop down to that level, I think there’s something wrong drastically.”
Walking in to bat at the fall of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s wicket, Mathews was getting ready to take guard to face the bowler. But when he tried to adjust the strap of his helmet, it came out in what he said was ‘an equipment malfunction.’
After he was ruled out by the umpire, Mathews pleaded with him and also tried to explain his situation to the Bangladesh Skipper, to no avail. Although he could have withdrawn his appeal, Shakib decided to uphold the decision - an atrociously poor tactic from a team that has nothing at stake in the World Cup.
While fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock told the host’s broadcaster that Mathews was over the two-minute mark stipulated in the ICC Playing Conditions for the maximum time limit for a batter to get to the crease even before his helmet broke, the former Sri Lanka Captain said he still had five seconds to spare before the equipment gave way.
“I haven’t done anything wrong. I had two minutes to get to the crease and get myself ready, which I did. And then it was an equipment malfunction,” he explained.
“After my helmet broke, I still had five seconds to go,” he continued. “The umpires said they didn’t see my helmet breaking. I was just asking for my helmet. It was pure common sense. I’m not talking about mankading or obstructing fielding. It’s just pure common sense, and (it’s) bringing the game into disrepute. And the umpires also have said to our coaches that they didn’t see my helmet breaking. I mean, I was just asking for my helmet.”
Shakib was quick to defend his decision and said he does not regret it as it was well within the laws, contrary to what Mathews argued at the media conference.
“Not at all,” he said. “One of our fielders came to me and said, if you appeal, the law says he’s out because he hasn’t taken his guard within the time frame. Then I appealed to the umpires. The umpire told me whether you’re going to call him back and I said I won’t call him back.”
Mathews lashed out at Bangladesh saying it was the worst conduct of a team he has seen during his 15-long international career.
“In my 15 years of career, I’ve never seen a team going down to that level because obviously the umpires also admitted that it’s equipment malfunction, and they could have gone upstairs and checked again,” he said. “Up to today, I had the utmost respect for him and the Bangladesh team. If it’s within the rules, it’s fine. I was there within two minutes. We have video evidence. We will put out a statement later on. We have video evidence and footage, and everything was looked at. I’m not just coming and saying things here. I’m talking with proof.”
“So, we talk about the safety of the players,” he said. “You guys tell me if it’s right for me to take my guard without my helmet on? It’s just pure common sense.”
After Bangladesh clinched a three-wicket win -despite some late drama where Sri Lanka claimed five wickets for 72 runs - Sri Lanka refused to shake hands with the opposition.
Mathews justified the decision, saying, “You need to respect people who respect you.”
“We all are ambassadors of this beautiful game, including the umpires. So then, if you don’t respect and if you don’t use your common sense, what more can you ask for?” he maintained.
Mathews also took a dig at the on-field umpires for making ‘an uninformed decision’ in the heat of the moment, knowing very well that his helmet strap had come off.
“That’s why I think the umpires also had a bigger job at the time because they could have at least gone back and checked. So, we talk about player safety. They don’t let a wicket-keeper keep wickets without a helmet for a spinner. So, how can I take my guard without my helmet? It’s a complete equipment malfunction”, he said.
“I’m not going to say that if I had batted today, we would have won the match,” Mathews insisted. “I’m not saying that. I mean, I’m just talking about that incident where, obviously, it was a crucial time of the match. And we could have gone either way. I mean, we could have got 54, or 60 runs more, as well. You never know. But it was just a pure disgrace.”
Commenting on the fourth umpire’s explanation that it’s the player’s responsibility to check their equipment, Mathews said it’s ‘laughable.’
“All of you guys heard, yes? It’s quite laughable, I think. It’s our responsibility, yes. If I went without a helmet to bat at a fast bowler, then it’s my responsibility, obviously. But something coming off, some equipment coming off, do you really think I would know it’s going to come off? I don’t understand the logic behind what he has said,” he said.
Mathews added that the umpires have informed the coaches that they should have reviewed the situation in that manner but Mathews said there’s no point closing the stable when the horse has already bolted.
“It should have been addressed in real time, considering the available technology. Umpires could have easily determined the timing difference at that moment. I’m at a loss for words regarding this situation,” the usually diplomatic Mathews concluded bluntly.
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