Mathews soon called for a replacement helmet, which was run out to him by Chamika Karunaratne. Shakib Al Hasan then appeared to initiate a discussion with umpire Marais Erasmus, however, after which Mathews was informed he was timed out.

Mathews was yet to put on the new helmet, and Karunaratne was still standing near the pitch when the news of his dismissal was relayed to him. At this stage, at least three minutes and twenty seconds had elapsed since Samarawickrama’s dismissal.

Mathews initially seemed to think the umpire was joking, but quickly wore a worried expression, and began to engage in a long discussion with both Erasmus and square-leg umpire Richard Illingworth.

Erasmus then approached Shakib and had a quick discussion (the second between the two), following which Mathews also spoke briefly to Shakib, the Bangladesh captain offering a consoling tap on Mathews’ shoulder. But ultimately the decision to rule him timed out was upheld, prompting more animated and visibly upset gesturing from Mathews at his broken helmet strap.

At the time of Mathews’ being given out, Bangladesh had long since broken their huddle, and had taken their places in the field, with Shakib at the top of his mark, ready to bowl.

“As a batsman I think you need to make sure that you have all your equipment in place in order to make sure you get here, because you actually have to be ready to receive the ball within two minutes – not ready to prepare or take your guard,” Holdstock told Ian Bishop during the innings break. He also said two minutes had already elapsed between the dismissal of Samarawickrama and the strap “becoming an issue” for Mathews. However, Mathews still had about five seconds to be ready to face the ball when his strap broke.

The ICC Playing Conditions stipulate that the batter must be ready to receive the ball within two minutes, which Mathews clearly was not.

“40.1 Out Timed out 40.1.1 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 two minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed Out.”

Mathews was visibly annoyed by the mode of dismissal as he left the field. He kicked the helmet in frustration as he passed out of the playing area and chucked his bat away.

His dismissal left Sri Lanka in significant trouble, at 135 for 5. Charaith Asalanka then scored a hundred though, to help his side recover to 279.