Flashback: Instances of timed-out in cricket

Timed-out is a method of dismissal in the sport of cricket. It is one of the rarest of dismissals and has never occurred in any international match in history. It occurs when an incoming batter fails to take guard within three minutes after the previous player gets out. If the new batter does not fulfil such conditions, then he may be declared as ‘timed-out’. Not in internationals, but a few instances have occurred in first-class cricket and they feature in our article.

Let’s take a look at the instances of timed-out in First-Class Cricket matches:

1.Andrew Jordaan (1988)

Andrew Jordaan is the first player to get dismissed ‘timed-out’ in 1988. During the Howa Bowl match between Easter Province and Transvaal, the majority of day one’s play got washed out and Jordaan was zero not out at the end of the play. After torrential rain overnight, Jordaan was prevented from reaching the ground by flooded roads the following day as he got out in a bizarre fashion.

2.Hemulal Yadav (1997)

Hemulal Yadav became the second victim of this weird dismissal. The instance took place in a match between Orissa and Tripura in 1997. Tripura was batting and when they lost their ninth wicket, the umpires called for drinks break. No.11 player, Yadav was in deep conversation with his team manager on the boundary line and exceeded the time limit and subsequently got out.

3.Vasbert Drakes (2002)

Vasbert Drakes is the third name on this unwanted list. The instance occurred during the Border vs Free State match East London in 2002. After playing in the Champions Trophy, Drakes was supposed to travel from Colombo by flight. His flight was delayed and despite the pacer being pushed lower down the order he could not make it on time and got out while still on the plane.

4.AJ Harris (2003)

Andrew Harris suffered this bizarre dismissal during a match between Nottinghamshire and Durham in 2003. After opting to bat first, Durham managed only 165. Nottinghamshire was batting solidly and number 11 Harris suffered a groin strain and had not changed thinking he would not be required. A collapse in the batting forced Harris to enter the field but he took too long to walk to the middle and was given out.

5.Ryan Austin (2014)

Ryan Austin is the second-last player in this chart and his incident occurred in the match between Combined Campuses and Colleges and the Windward Islands in 2014. Combined Colleges’ spinner Austin wreaked havoc with his spell of 8/64 but when his chance came to bat in the second innings, he failed to reach the crease on time and hence was given out.

6.Charles Kunje (2017)

Charles Kunje is the sixth and the last player to face the unusual dismissal. His bad luck came in a match between Matabeleland Tuskers and Mountaineers in 2017. Tuskers, batting first, were in trouble at 53/5 bur Kunje failed to make it to the crease within three minutes of time and at the appeal of the fielding team, he was given timed-out.