Timed Out in Cricket

A batter is out if they take more than 3 minutes to arrive at the crease after a wicket falls.

What is a Timed Out?

Under Law 40 of cricket, an incoming batter must be ready to receive the first ball (or for the new partnership to begin) within 3 minutes of the previous wicket falling. Rarely enforced in professional cricket — but famously used in 2023 when Angelo Mathews was timed out in a World Cup match after his helmet strap broke and he couldn't fix it within the time limit. It remains one of cricket's more obscure but technically legitimate dismissals.

In play

Wicket falls. The next batter on the pavilion steps delays — equipment issues. Three minutes pass. The fielding team appeals. Umpire raises finger. Timed out. First ever timed out dismissal at a Men's Cricket World Cup.

More laws terms

• DLS MethodDuckworth-Lewis-Stern — the formula used to set a fair revised target when rain interrupts a limited-overs match.
• Net Run RateThe tiebreaker stat — runs scored per over minus runs conceded per over, across a whole tournament.
• TossThe coin flip before a match that decides who chooses to bat or field first.
• ConcedeRuns given away by the bowler or fielding side, or a wicket/lead given up.
• WicketThe word with three different meanings in cricket — the stumps, a dismissal, and the pitch itself.
• CreaseThe white lines marked on the pitch that define where batters and bowlers must operate.