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5 best surprise packet players from the 2023 Cricket World Cup

Charbel Coorey
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5 best surprise packet players from the 2023 Cricket World Cup

Cricket Opinion: 5 best surprise packet players from the 2023 Cricket World Cup | 5 players who will finish the World Cup with an enhanced reputation

A World Cup sees the best players come together in the quest for glory. The nature of the cricketing calendar means not all nations can field full-strength teams in bilaterals, but the showpiece tournament is when the best of the best arrive and put on a show.

However, the tournament is also renowned for unearthing players. 2023 was no different, with a number of players significantly enhancing their reputation throughout the World Cup. In this article, we will look at five such players.

2023 ICC Cricket World Cup: Top 5 best surprise packet players

Rachin Ravindra – New Zealand

Rachin Ravindra went from a promising talent to well and truly on the map. The 23-year old had a tournament to remember, starting off with a magnificent, unbeaten 123* to flatten England in the tournament opener.

Ravindra finished the group stage with 565 runs at an superb average of 70.62 and strike rate of 108.44, including three centuries. Our next recommendation for a YouTube video is a ten-hour loop of the sound the ball makes when it pings off Ravindra’s bat. It certainly would be a soothing listen, with his timing, placement and strokeplay a hallmark of his batting.

If that wasn’t enough, Ravindra also chipped in with five wickets, conceding less than six runs per over to offer the Black Caps another bowling option in the middle overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai – Afghanistan

Another 23-year old, this time from Afghanistan. Azmatullah Omarzai made waves in under-19 cricket, with his hitting ability catching the attention of many. But, after finding himself in and out of the Afghanistan team in recent years, it is in this tournament that he made a name for himself at senior level.

One worry for the Afghans heading into the tournament was how their middle order would fare. Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi were solid in the end, but Omarzai gave the team some wonderful impetus in both the middle and death overs. The all-rounder finished with 353 runs at an average of 70.60 and strike rate of 97.78, hitting three half-centures in eight innings. He fell agonisingly short of a well-deserved hundred in the last game against South Africa, but his arrival has well and truly been announced.

Add to that his bowling. He may have conceded an expensive 7.10 per over, but he showed some glimpses of real quality. One such example was against Australia, where he very nearly dismissed miracle man Glenn Maxwell which would have sealed a hat-trick.

Like Ravindra, expect Azmat Omarzai to be picked up by quite a few T20 franchises around the globe.

Gerald Coetzee – South Africa

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who started playing ODI cricket in March this year, has taken the most number of wickets for South Africa in a single World Cup. He took 18 wickets in seven league games, displaying the pace and fire to give the Proteas an edge in the middle overs in particular.

Also, Coetzee’s strike rate of 18.10 is the second-best of any bowler, behind only Mohammed Shami’s freakish 9.75. His intent and focus on taking wickets holds him in such good stead, along with his infectious passion that brings his teammates on the ride with him.

Dilshan Madushanka – Sri Lanka

Dilshan Madushanka was a shining light in a dark tournament for Sri Lanka. The left-armer took 21 wickets, with nine coming in the powerplay including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and David Warner. Not only did he swing the ball back into right-handers, but he was able to take the ball away as well with skilful use of the fingers to cut across the ball.

Sri Lanka’s next highest wicket-taker with Kasun Rajitha with eight, highlighting just how incredible Madushanka’s effort was as the others struggled. The next priority for Madushanka will be to deliver in all phases of the innings, but he certainly has the talent to do so.

Aryan Dutt – Netherlands

Aryan Dutt’s raw numbers may not look the most impressive on first glance, but the Netherlands have a very promising off-spinner on their hands. The 20-year old bowled in the powerplay in every game, finishing with a respectable economy rate of 5.17 between overs 1-10.

Given he’s been in and out of the Netherlands ODI side in recent times, this World Cup, where has taken ten wickets, can be the catalyst for a consistent run in the team moving forward. He gets nice shape on the ball, often finding spin and some bounce with his height. If he can hone in on his consistency, he can have a really solid white-ball career.

Pakistan’s poor performances in World Cups since 1999

Charbel Coorey
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Pakistan’s poor performances in World Cups since 1999

Cricket News: Pakistan’s poor performances in ODI World Cups since reaching the final in 1999 | List of Pakistan performances since 1999

Pakistan were officially eliminated from the 2023 World Cup, losing their final match against England by 94 runs. Their only chance of reaching the semi-finals was to bat first and win by a mammoth 287 runs, but that was taken out of their hands when Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat.

The defeat put an end to another sub-par ODI World Cup by Pakistan. They entered this tournament with great optimism given the subcontinental conditions, but their inconsistency, poor decision making and indifferent returns from key players marred their campaign.

Unfortunately, this is nothing new for Pakistan. They endured a similar tournament in 2019, where they also had to win their final league game by an improbable margin (316 runs against Bangladesh) to qualify for the semi-finals. In fact, Pakistan, who have had talented squads right throughout the 21st century, have underachieved in ODI World Cups since reaching the final in 1999, often relying on other results to go their way to proceed in the tournament.

Pakistan’s underachievement in ODI World Cups: A look at their performances since 1999

The 1990s was a memorable decade for Pakistan. They won in 1992, reached the quarter-finals in 1996 and made the final in 1999. However, it has been lean pickings since then. Here is a look at how Pakistan have fared in six ODI World Cups since the turn of the century.

2003: Group Stage

Pakistan boasted an attack featuring Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar in 2003. However, the team never got going, with their batting in particular way under par.

Out of six group games, their only two wins came against Namibia and the Netherlands, where they managed just 253/9 and 255/9 respectively against inexperienced attacks. Australia, on the back of Andrew Symonds’ incredible ton, were far too good, as were England courtesy of James Anderson’s memorable spell and India thanks Sachin Tendulkar’s magnificent 98.

Pakistan’s final group game was against Zimbabwe, where they also had to win by a big margin to qualify for the Super Sixes. However, the match ended in a no-result, confirming their elimination. “We played poor cricket throughout the World Cup,” said then captain Waqar Younis to Ian Healy in the post-match presentation. “We don’t deserve to be there.”

Cricket News: Pakistan's poor performances in ODI World Cups since reaching the final in 1999 | List of Pakistan performances since 1999
2003 was one of Pakistan’s worst World Cups

2007: Group Stage

Pakistan were on the wrong end of one of the great World Cup upsets. On the same day where Bangladesh all but knocked India out, Ireland did the same to Inzamam-ul-Haq’s team, pulling off an incredible victory.

Pakistan, who chose to bat, were bundled out for 132 courtesy of excellent Irish bowling and awful batting. Despite a big push with the ball, Pakistan couldn’t defend their paltry total, with Niall O’Brien’s 72 guiding his team to a famous three-wicket victory.

The result knocked Pakistan out after a poor performance first up against West Indies. They ended up winning their final match against Zimbabwe, but their performances, along with the tragic death of coach Bob Woolmer, marked a dark period for Pakistan cricket.

“The way the team has lost is the most disgraceful performance since the World Cup started. The entire nation is shocked,” said Senator Mohammad Enver Baig.

Inzamam-ul-Haq finished his ODI career in the group stage of the 2007 World Cup.

2011: Semi-Finals

Pakistan’s 2011 performance formed much of the optimism before their 2023 campaign. Except for a Kamran Akmal and Ross Taylor-led defeat against New Zealand, Misbah-ul-Haq’s team won all their group games, including ending Australia’s 34-match unbeaten streak in World Cups. They then made a mockery of West Indies in the quarter-final in Mirpur, setting up a major showdown with India in the semi-final.

Much has been made of Saeed Ajmal’s delivery to Sachin Tendulkar that hawkeye deemed was going down the legside. However, the semi-final could have gone differently had Pakistan found their groove in the middle overs. Chasing 261, Pakistan couldn’t get going after a promising start, eventually falling short by 29 runs at Mohali.

Pakistan played well in 2011 but just fell short.

2015: Quarter-Finals

Pakistan’s 2015 campaign began to mirror those of 2003 and 2007 in the early stages. Heavy defeats to India and West Indies put them on the backfoot, before a tight, nervy win over Zimbabwe, where they fell to 155/6, got them off the mark.

Misbah-ul-Haq’s team won their final three group games against UAE, South Africa and Ireland to qualify for the quarter-finals. However, as has often been the case in World Cups, Pakistan’s batting felt it was lacking the necessary impact to go all the way. It happened to be the case against a red-hot Australia side, with Pakistan mustering just 213 in excellent batting conditions at Adelaide.

Rahat Ali’s dropped catch off the back of Wahab Riaz’s magnificent spell to Shane Watson spelt the end of Pakistan’s 2015 campaign that was okay, but nothing more.

Wahab Riaz did his best for Pakistan in 2015.

2019: Group Stage

A horror start to the 2019 World Cup meant Pakistan were playing catch up. They won one of their first four completed matches, with the huge defeat against West Indies (seven wickets, 218 balls to spare) proving very costly along with the washout against Sri Lanka.

In the end, that heavy defeat to the Windies meant Pakistan missed out on net run rate despite winning their last four games. Their inability to put their best cricket together on a regular basis was on show again, putting in under-par performances against Australia and India when it mattered most.

Babar Azam was solid in 2019, but it wasn’t enough for Pakistan to qualify.

2023: Group Stage

Another World Cup, another “what if” for Pakistan. Once again, Pakistan lost consecutive matches (four) to put themselves in serious danger of missing the semi-finals, which they eventually did.

While some Pakistan fans may suggest the umpire’s call against South Africa cost them a semi-final spot, the truth is the team have only themselves to blame. Nine games is a long time, and if you don’t end up qualifying for the final four, you haven’t been good enough.

Pakistan’s three main spinners offered very little by way of wickets or control. Babar Azam did not influence games his status suggests he should. Haris Rauf conceded the most runs by any bowler in a World Cup, and Shaheen Shah Afridi took just three wickets in the powerplay all tournament.

If Pakistan are to make an impact in the 2027 World Cup, they must review their current strategy and ensure they have enough talent coming through in the 50-over format. If not, it will be a similar story in South Africa.

Pakistan had another disappointing campaign in 2023.

Glenn Maxwell likely to be rested against Bangladesh at Pune

Charbel Coorey
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Glenn Maxwell likely to be rested against Bangladesh at Pune

Cricket News: Glenn Maxwell update – star all-rounder likely to be rested for dead-rubber against Bangladesh at Pune

Superstar all-rounder Glenn Maxwell is likely to be rested for Australia’s final league game against Bangladesh at Pune on Saturday. Maxwell, fresh off one of the all-time great ODI knocks on Tuesday, is still recovering from the full-body cramps that he overcame in an incredible innings.

According to a report in cricket.com.au, Maxwell is still feeling the effects of a big day against Afghanistan in very hot conditions at Mumbai. Given his importance to the team and the fact a semi-final against South Africa is to come during the week, Australia will be well served putting Maxwell on ice to ensure he’s right to go for the big knockout match.

Glenn Maxwell expected to be rested against Bangladesh, Steve Smith set to return

Assistant coach Daniel Vettori confirmed Maxwell has been in recovery mode in recent days. He said that the team will see how the all-rounder pulls up, but he hinted that the semi-final is the main priority.

“He’s definitely been in full recovery mode the last few days. I think we all saw the effects of the innings and in particular the heat,” said Vettori.

“Today’s [Friday] a big day to see how he pulls up. We’ll just see how he feels as the day continues on but it’s obviously been pretty hectic for him the last few days.

“It’ll be how he feels – I don’t think it’ll be a fitness-test scenario. We understand that obviously now that the semi-final is pretty definitive in Kolkata that it will be a build towards that.

“He does have a track record of being able to bounce back pretty quickly, even with some time away from the game.”

Steve Smith is expected to come into the XI. He missed the Afghanistan game after suffering from vertigo, but has not shown any of the dizziness symptoms that plagued his preparation for that clash. In fact, he played golf during the week.

Also, Australia could rest one or more of their frontline pace bowlers, with Sean Abbott expected to make the XI. The team management also have the option of playing Cameron Green in place of one of the quicks as the all-rounder can offer overs with his seam.

Australia’s possible playing XI against Bangladesh: 1. David Warner, 2. Travis Head, 3. Mitchell Marsh, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Marnus Labuschagne, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Josh Inglis/Alex Carey (wk), 8. Cameron Green, 9. Sean Abbott, 10. Pat Cummins/Mitchell Starc/Josh Hazlewood, 11. Adam Zampa

Spotlight on Mumbai pollution ahead of Cricket World Cup semi-final

Charbel Coorey
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Spotlight on Mumbai pollution ahead of Cricket World Cup semi-final

Cricket News: Mumbai pollution worsens ahead of Cricket World Cup semi-final | Mumbai set to host semi-final between India and New Zealand

The race to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup has created many talking points and fantastic memories. Afghanistan made a strong push, thwarted by one of the greatest – if not the greatest – ODI innings of all-time by Glenn Maxwell. Pakistan were sitting, waiting, and wishing for a New Zealand defeat against Sri Lanka, but it wasn’t to be as the Black Caps arrested a four-game losing streak.

Unfortunately, however, air pollution has marred the backend of the tournament. The pollution in Delhi, which saw the air quality index (AQI) rise above 400, led to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka cancelling training sessions ahead of their match. The game eventually went ahead in hazy conditions, with controversy, as well as poor air quality, engulfing the match.

The Sri Lankan team during a training session in hazy Delhi.

Mumbai pollution concerns: 4 in 5 families complain of side-effects

There are no further matches in Delhi in this World Cup, but the air quality concerns don’t end there. Pollution has engulfed Mumbai, the host city of one of the semi-finals. A survey of residents in Mumbai has revealed that 4-in-5 families have suffered from a sore throat or cough due to the city’s deteriorating air quality. In addition, 44% of those surveyed encountered burning eyes.

The recent match between Afghanistan and Australia at Wankhede, which will be remembered for Glenn Maxwell’s brilliance, the air quality index was 14 times worse than the safe limit, with fireworks banned after the match.

“BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] is sensitive to environmental concerns. I took up the matter formally with the ICC and there won’t be any fireworks display in Mumbai, which can add to the pollution level.” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement earlier this month.

“The board is committed to combating environmental issues and will always place the interest of our fans and stakeholders at the forefront.”

Earlier this month, India captain Rohit Sharma expressed concerns about the air pollution in Mumbai and Delhi. He said it’s important future generations live without fear.

“Looking at our future generations, your kids, my kid. Obviously it is important that they get to live without any fear. Every time I get to speak outside of cricket, or not discussing cricket, I always talk about this. We have to look after our future generations,” he said.

Previously, England batsman Joe Root said he has never encountered conditions that he did in Mumbai. He also rose the air quality issue following England’s defeat to South Africa.

“I’ve not played in anything like that before,” said Root. “I’ve obviously played in hotter conditions, and probably more humid conditions, but it just felt like you couldn’t get your breath. It was like you were eating the air.”

“It felt like quite a hazy day,” he continued. “You could definitely see that from one side of the ground, looking back towards the sun, it was a lot harder visually than it was on the other side of the ground. Whether it was air quality or what, it was definitely an experience I’ve not had before.”

Also, ESPNcricinfo journalist Matt Roller documented the situation in Mumbai and Delhi. “I arrived in Bengaluru on Sunday and feel like I can breathe again”, he wrote on October 25. “I had spent five days in Delhi, then six in Mumbai, and the combination of lower temperatures and better air quality over the last 48 hours has been so refreshing: Bengaluru is cool enough to walk around without breaking a sweat within five minutes, and I have been grateful for some fresher air.”

Officials will continue to monitor conditions ahead of the semi-final on 15 November, as they have done for matches in Delhi and Mumbai in this tournament.

Hilarious reactions to Angelo Mathews arriving to the crease in time vs New Zealand

Charbel Coorey
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Hilarious reactions to Angelo Mathews arriving to the crease in time vs New Zealand

Cricket News: Hilarious reactions to Angelo Mathews arriving to the crease in time vs New Zealand | Reactions to Angelo Mathews vs NZ

New Zealand all but sealed their passage to the 2023 World Cup semi-finals with a clinical takedown of Sri Lanka at Bengaluru. The Black Caps bowlers, led by Trent Boult, were far too good for the Sri Lankans, who only reached 171 thanks to a dogged last wicket stand between Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka.

One little subplot in the Sri Lanka innings was Angelo Mathews walking to bat. Just a few days ago, the World Cup had its most controversial moment when Mathews was timed out against Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan upheld his appeal after Mathews’ helmet strap broke before his first ball, leading to a fiery encounter and criticism even from Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald.

In the New Zealand game, commentators Simon Doull, Michael Atherton and Sunil Gavaskar paid close attention as Mathews walked quite quickly to the crease. Trent Boult made a cheeky comment to Mathews, who then received a pat from captain Kane Williamson. It was a light-hearted moment after the heated row of another drama-filled Sri Lanka-Bangladesh match.

Reactions – Angelo Mathews makes it to his crease in time!

Fans on social media were all over it as well, sharing memes and jokes before and during Mathews’ journey to the Bengaluru crease. Mathews was eventually dismissed for 16 off 27 balls, which is likely to have been his final ODI innings.

If it was indeed Mathews’ final innings, he finishes ODI cricket with 5,916 runs at an average of 40.24 with 40 half-centuries and three hundreds. This is along with 7,361 Test runs at 45.43 as well as over 1,000 T20I runs.

What margin do Pakistan need to beat England by to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals?

Charbel Coorey
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What margin do Pakistan need to beat England by to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals?

Cricket News: A look at the margin Pakistan needs to beat England by to pull off a miracle qualification to the World Cup semi-finals

The New Zealand-Sri Lanka match had plenty riding on it. Not only did the Black Caps have their own fans glued to the important clash, but Pakistan and Afghanistan had their fingers crossed for a Sri Lankan victory.

However, New Zealand won easily with five wickets and 160 balls to spare after restricting Sri Lanka to 171 despite a fighting last wicket partnership between Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana. As a result, Pakistan now need a miracle to qualify for the 2023 World Cup semi-finals, while Afghanistan need to beat South Africa by 487 runs, which would be the cricketing miracle to end all cricketing miracles.

Pakistan need to win by 287-run margin to qualify

Babar Azam’s team must bat first against England at Eden Gardens and need to win by at least a mammoth 287 runs to qualify. Fakhar Zaman’s superb form since returning from injury provides hope for the huge score they need to give themselves a chance, but they need absolutely everything to go right, from the toss right through to execution.

If Pakistan bat second, they have next to no chance of qualifying as they will need to win with approximately 284 balls to spare.

If Pakistan score a huge 450 batting first, they will qualify if they restrict England to 161 or fewer. However, any score of 386 or less, and Pakistan must bowl England out for under 100 to qualify.

The scenario is eerily similar to the 2019 World Cup. After a slow start to their campaign in England, Pakistan then strung wins together but needed to beat Bangladesh by 316 runs to qualify for the semi-finals of that edition. They ended up winning by 94 runs with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking 6/35, but their campaign came to an end.

As things stand in the 2023 World Cup, high-flying India will take on New Zealand in a repeat of 2019 World Cup semi-final. Australia will take on South Africa in the other semi-final.

Meg Lanning retires from international cricket

Charbel Coorey
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Meg Lanning retires from international cricket

Cricket News: Meg Lanning announces shock retirement from international cricket | Why did Meg Lanning retire from internationals?

Australia captain Meg Lanning has announced her retirement from international cricket, aged 31. The shock announcement comes after Lanning missed Australia’s Australia’s tour of the UK due to a medical issue, as well as home ODI and T20I assignments against West Indies.

Lanning returned to cricket in the WNCL for Victoria, and is currently captaining Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. She is set to continue playing domestic cricket in the meantime.

Lanning’s retirement comes after taking a series of personal breaks. After Australia won Commonwealth Games gold in 2022, Lanning took mental health leave, culminating in her missing Australia’s December tour of India soon before the successful 2023 T20 World Cup campaign, which happens to be her last appearance in the green and gold.

Now is the right time for me to retire – Meg Lanning

In a statement, Lanning said it’s now the right time to move onto something new after 13 years at the top.

“The decision to step away from international cricket was a difficult one to make, but I feel now is the right time for me,” said Lanning.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a 13-year international career, but I know now is the right time for me to move on to something new. Team success is why you play the game, I’m proud of what I have been able to achieve and will cherish the moments shared with teammates along the way.”

“I’d like to thank my family, my teammates, Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association for their support to allow me to play the game I love at the highest level.

“I also want to say a huge thank you to all the fans who have supported me throughout my international career.”

A list of Meg Lanning’s most incredible achievements

Lanning ends her career as one of Australia’s greatest. After debuting at 18 years of age in 2010, Lanning has gone on to play 241 matches for Australia across formats, finishing as one of the country’s finest batters and most successful captains.

Captaincy achievements:

  • Four T20 World Cup titles.
  • ODI World Cup title.
  • Commonwealth Games title.

Batting achievements:

  • Youngest Australian female to score a century (18).
  • 15 ODI centuries, the most of any female player in history.
  • ODI batting average of 53.51, the most of any female player with at least 4,000 runs.
  • Second-highest run-scorer in women’s T20I history (3,405).

“We look forward to celebrating Meg’s distinguished international career at an appropriate time,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

And what an international career it was.

Twitter reactions to unbelievable Glenn Maxwell 201* against Afghanistan

Charbel Coorey
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Twitter reactions to unbelievable Glenn Maxwell 201* against Afghanistan

Cricket News: Twitter reactions to Glenn Maxwell’s unbelievable 201* against Afghanistan | Glenn Maxwell smashes incredible innings against Afghanistan

“I wonder what Mujeeb must be thinking,” said Ricky Ponting on commentary with Glenn Maxwell batting on 175*. Mujeeb dropped Maxwell when the latter was on 33, but even then, no one could have possibly imagined what would happen next.

With Australia reeling and all but gone at 91/7 chasing 292, Maxwell went into ballistic mode, producing arguably the greatest innings in One Day International history to guide Australia home to a three-wicket win. He and Pat Cummins finished with an unbeaten 202-run stand, with the captain contributing just 12. Quite extraordinary.

Not only did Maxwell smash the first-ever double century by an Australian in ODIs, he is the first male player from any country to achieve a double ton when chasing. And he did it battling severe cramps. Soon after reaching his century, Maxwell was barely able to walk, bringing doubt as to whether he could go on and do the unthinkable.

The unthinkable he did. It seemed like Maxwell’s feet were stuck in concrete, yet he was still able to smash fours and sixes using his arms, wrist and core to bring Australia closer. In the end, Maxwell hammered 21 fours and ten sixes in an innings no one who witnessed it will ever forget.

Credit also goes to Pat Cummins. The captain batted 50+ balls in an innings for the first time in ODIs, holding firm at one end. He and the Australian team, as well as the spectators, commentators and viewers, were in disbelief as Australia sealed their semi-final qualification in the most remarkable of circumstances.

Reactions to extraordinary Glenn Maxwell 201* against Afghanistan

Twitter went into overdrive. Many believe it’s the greatest ODI innings of all time. An unbelievable effort indeed.

“From Max pressure to Max performance! This has been the best ODI knock I’ve seen in my life,” tweeted the great Sachin Tendulkar.

“That’s the best ODI innings I’ve ever seen. Staggering, staggering batting. Double tons are normally a crowning of an ODI career, an individual achievement that stands aside from the game – that was a team knock. A double ton in a second innings is a mad, mad thing. What a man,” another fan said.

Here are some of the reactions to an incredible innings.

Exclusive: Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald on Angelo Mathews timed out dismissal

Charbel Coorey
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Exclusive: Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald on Angelo Mathews timed out dismissal

CricBlog has gained exclusive audio of Allan Donald sharing his thoughts on the Angelo Mathews timed out dismissal

Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald has shared his thoughts on the Angelo Mathews timed out dismissal, which dominated headlines around the cricketing world during and after Bangladesh’s victory over Sri Lanka at Delhi on November 7.

Mathews, who walked in to bat with Sri Lanka four down in the 25th over, was all but ready to face his first delivery before his helmet strap broke. After calling for a new helmet, Bangladesh appealed for a timed out dismissal, with captain Shakib Al Hasan choosing to uphold the appeal twice when prompted by the umpires.

In the end, Mathews was given out, sparking widespread reaction. CricBlog has gained exclusive access to the reaction of Donald, who was seen talking to Mathews just after the Sri Lankan was dismissed.

Below is the transcript of the interview.

Allan Donald interview: “I wanted to go out there and say ‘enough is enough'”

“I think it [the timed out dismissal] really overshadowed a clinical performance by Bangladesh. I’m sort of a bit still shocked about it to be honest. It’s just my values that I have as a person and as a cricketer.

I certainly have never, ever in my entire life since I was playing cricket at age group, club cricket, provincial cricket, international cricket… never, ever, ever have seen anything like that.

Last night I sat in bed and I just thought ‘what just took place there?’ For me, the question I asked was ‘what just happened there?’ I even sat in the changeroom and I was dead quiet. We didn’t shake hands [with Sri Lanka], and you walk on the field, and I knew what was going to come after Sri Lanka had fielded… it was just going to be a very, very blank reception and that it certainly was.”

Donald’s immediate reaction…

“My immediate reaction when that happened – and this is just my instincts would have taken over – is I almost actually thought of going on that field and saying ‘enough is enough, we don’t stand for this. We are not that kind of team who stand for this.’

That was my immediate thought. Things happen so quickly, but you’re talking about authority and I’m not the head coach, I’m not in charge. I just saw Marais Erasmus say ‘please, Angelo you can now depart the ground.’ And, seeing Angelo pick his helmet up and then walking off and throwing it against the advertising boards; it just was…. I was surprised.”

“I just don’t want to see things like that…”

“You talk about the respect and the dignity for each other and for the game. The spirit of the game. I just don’t want to see things like that. That’s just me. I just don’t want to see that sort of thing in our game where, OK someone was sharp out there and said ‘well, you can appeal.’ I was like ‘really? This is not going to happen. This cannot be happening. This can’t be happening!’

But we saw it. I don’t know, mate, my instincts would have immediately told me get out there and say ‘hey, that’s just not going to happen. It’s just not going to happen.'”

Overshadowed a great Bangladesh win…

“It really overshadowed a great win. It absolutely; not really, it absolutely overshadowed everything because there was a lot of niggle out there; there was a huge amount of niggle when Sri Lanka started bowling.

There was anger. The only word you can use, really, is anger. At the end of the day, then like I normally do, I’m almost out there on the park first shaking hands and I just knew that these guys were heading for one place and that’s the dressing room. There was no eye contact at all, no conversations, nothing.

I don’t know, a lot of these cricketers today can call me old fashioned but I just don’t think there is any place for it. I just don’t think so.”

Allan Donald recalls Shoriful Islam replacing his boots in a Test match vs Ireland…

“And you talk about mankad now. If you’re going to mankad, it’s a rule, and we’re talking about two rules here that’s actually in the game. The most sensible thing would have been to just to say ‘OK, no worries mate, sort your helmet out quickly. You have time to replace it.’

I take an incident that happened to Shoriful Islam where he came out in the wrong shoes against Ireland in a Test match. He had green boots on with whites, and it took him time to take those boots off; well over time, well over. Talking about exactly the same incident and nothing was said. Nothing. Not a thing. Not a word.”

On running out the non-striker…

“We’re talking about mankading people, and for me, if you’re going to mankad someone, it’s a rule, it’s out there… You need to warn the batsman if you’re going to mankad him. “Don’t do that, don’t steal ground”… that’s sort of thing.

It [the timed out] was disappointing to see. I can understand Shakib taking his chance. His words were ‘I was doing everything to win’. You can sense in my voice that I don’t like it… I don’t like that sort of thing. It was really difficult to watch that unfold… one of Sri Lanka’s all-time greats walking off the field without a ball bowled to him been given out for time.

That’s where I stand on that.”

Reactions to Angelo Mathews getting timed out by Shakib & Bangladesh

Charbel Coorey
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Reactions to Angelo Mathews getting timed out by Shakib & Bangladesh

Cricket News: Reactions to Angelo Mathews getting timed out by Shakib & Bangladesh | Fans react on Twitter to Angelo Mathews becoming the first player to be timed out in internationals

Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka is one of world cricket’s most thrilling rivalries. Drama often ensues when these two teams meet, and it was the case again in their World Cup clash at Delhi.

The clash, which only had bearings on qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy, sprung into life in the 25th over. Angelo Mathews, who walked to the crease after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama, was all but ready to face up until his helmet strap broke. Mathews then signaled to the dressing room for a replacement helmet, afterwhich Shakib Al Hasan appealed to the umpires for a timed out dismissal after the two-minute time limit had elapsed.

According to Ian Bishop, the umpires approached Shakib twice and asked him if he wanted to withdraw his appeal. The Bangladesh captain refused. Marais Erasmus then confirmed to Mathews that he was out, marking the first-ever timed out dismissal in international cricket.

https://twitter.com/OneCricketApp/status/1721497011633991907

40.1 and 40.2 explains the rule, which does not cater for equipment malfunction.

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 2 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”

40.1.2 “In the event of an extended delay in which no batter comes to the wicket, the umpires shall adopt the procedure of Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match). For the purposes of that Law the start of the action shall be taken as the expiry of the 3 minutes referred to above.

40.2 Bowler does not get credit The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.”

However, the incident sparked significant reaction on social media, with criticism aimed at Shakib for choosing to uphold his appeal rather than show sportsmanship.

Reactions to Angelo Mathews timed out against Shakib – against the spirit or fair play?

Criticism of Shakib:

Fans, pundits and former players had their say on Twitter. Many believe that Shakib’s actions were uncalled for given Mathews was not deliberately trying to waste time, but wanted to sort out his safety equipment.

https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1721486950882754759
https://twitter.com/HaroonM33120350/status/1721501795640336818
https://twitter.com/coolfunnytshirt/status/1721490216714928543

In support of Shakib:

There were also arguments for Shakib, with those in support claiming that what he did was within the rules. Also, there are views that Mathews should have been more diligent.

https://twitter.com/MazherArshad/status/1721482766486004015

Sri Lanka, courtesy of a brilliant Charith Asalanka century, ended up with 279 after falling into trouble at 135/5. Bangladesh entered their chase having scored 250 just once previously in the 2023 World Cup.

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