The ICC’s playing conditions stipulate that the new batter must be “ready to receive the ball” within two minutes of a dismissal. The helmet strap broke about one minute and 55 seconds after Samarawickrama’s catch was completed.
Mathews also said the umpires had admitted to Sri Lanka’s coaching staff that they had erred in not checking how much time had elapsed between Samarawickrama’s dismissal and the strap breaking, and said that common sense had not been applied, particularly as the helmet was an important piece of safety equipment.
He, however, directed the greatest ire at Shakib and Bangladesh.
“It was obviously disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh,” Mathews said. “If they want to take wickets like that and stoop down to that level, there’s something wrong, drastically.
“It’s very disappointing [the] way that Bangladesh played. If it was mankading or obstructing the field, there’s no issue. Within two minutes I was at the crease and it was when I was at the crease that my helmet [strap] broke. The umpires saw this. I still had five seconds left. After I showed my helmet, the umpires said [Bangladesh] had appealed. So I asked where common sense was because my two minutes hadn’t passed.
“Unfortunately [the strap breaking] happened against Bangladesh. I don’t think any other team would do that, because it was black and white. It was equipment malfunction”
Angelo Mathews
“I’ve got no words to explain it. In my 15 years of playing, I’ve never seen a team or a player stoop so low.
“Unfortunately [the strap breaking] happened against Bangladesh. I don’t think any other team would do that, because it was black and white. It was equipment malfunction. It was a safety issue as well. We know that without a helmet I can’t face the bowling.”
“Up to today, I had utmost respect for him and the Bangladesh team,” he said. “You all play to win. If it’s within the rules, it’s clearly fine. But in my incident today, within two minutes I was clearly there. We have video evidence and we’ll put out a statement later on. I’m not just coming and saying things here. I’m talking with proof. From the time the catch was taken to the time I walked into the crease I still had five seconds after breaking my helmet.”