Sri Lanka’s World Cup clash with Bangladesh has featured one of the most extraordinary dramas in recent sporting memory, with veteran Angelo Mathews shockingly timed out without facing a ball.

It’s the first such dismissal ever recorded in international cricket, and is rarely seen at any level of the game.

With Sri Lanka 4/135 midway through the 24th over of their innings following the loss of Sadeera Samarawickrama and needing to win to keep their faint hopes of a semi-final berth alive, controversy erupted when Mathews arrived at the wicket, only to complain of a faulty helmet strap and immediately seek a replacement.

Following a Bangladesh appeal led by captain Shakib Al Hasan, however, umpires Marais Erasmus and Richard lllingworth ruled Mathews out as he was not ready to face up within two minutes of the previous wicket, leading to a furious argument between the 36-year old and teammate Charith Asalanka and the two officials.

A furious Mathews was given his marching orders to leave Sri Lanka at 5/135 and in dire straits.

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