It only took 146+ years, but a batter has finally been timed out in an international cricket match in any format, as we finally found a captain low enough to appeal for it and a set of umpires unwilling to give any benefit of the doubt.

Congratulations, Angelo Mathews, that’s the harsh price for your chin strap breaking off.

As has been noted in the last 24 hours, this dubious honour very nearly went to former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly in a 2007 Test match between India and South Africa, when he took 6 minutes to reach the crease due to confusion as to who was coming out to bat at No.4 for India, because Sachin Tendulkar had been off the field too long during South Africa’s innings and still had to wait a few minutes, so it was supposed to be VVS Laxman in his place…

Only problem was, Laxman was having a shower when the opening 2 wickets fell (Sehwag and Jaffer), and due to the situation with Sachin, Ganguly wasn’t even padded up.

At the end of it all, captain Graeme Smith was informed of the circumstances and declined to appeal the timed out.

Another odd fact – That now means 2023 has seen the first player to be given out for hitting the ball twice in an International match, and the first player timed out in an International match.