‘Worst wicket-taking ball in history’ stuns cricket as veteran’s horror run continues

Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews left the cricket world lost for words when he fell victim to a second unlucky dismissal in a few months.

Sri Lankan veteran Angelo Mathews had a moment to regret when he was dismissed in bizarre circumstances for the second time in a matter of months.

Mathews was in ominous touch, notching up his 16th Test century and looking to kick on when Sri Lanka’s score ticked over 400 in their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Colombo on Sunday.

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Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmad tossed up a very wide delivery down the leg side that Mathews chased after and whacked down to the fine leg boundary.

The only problem was Mathews smashed his own stumps on his follow through, knocking off the bails and getting himself out.

He sunk down on his haunches as he realised his mistake that sent him back to the pavilion for 141.

It’s likely the delivery would have been called a wide had Mathews not got himself out ‘hit wicket’.

The MCC Laws of cricket state that “When Wide ball has been called, neither batter shall be out under any of the Laws except 35 (Hit wicket), 37 (Obstructing the field), 38 (Run out) or 39 (Stumped).”

Cricket writer Kit Harris tweeted: “This must be the worst wicket-taking ball in Test cricket history. Bowler gets credit in the stats.”

Jarrod Kimber wrote: “Angelo Mathews with a four and bowled.”

Watch the dismissal in the video player above.

Angelo Mathews accidentally whacked his own stumps.

Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal (107) celebrated a record 232-run partnership.

It’s the highest-ever partnership at the ground for the fourth wicket, improving on the 230-run stand between Arjuna Ranatunga and Asanka Gurusinha in 1992 against Australia.

Mathews’ unfortunate dismissal continues the 36-year-old’s dismal run of luck after he was controversially timed out during last year’s ODI World Cup, becoming the first player to be timed out at international level.

On that occasion, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan sparked a spirit of cricket debate when he called for umpires to time Mathews out for taking too long to get to the crease because of an issue with his helmet.

Poor old Angelo Mathews couldn’t believe it. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Sri Lanka collapsed from 427 for six to 439 all out on the third day of their one-off Test against Afghanistan, with one of their batsmen forced off the field after being hit on the helmet.

The hosts added only 29 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out, with seamer Naveed Zadran taking four wickets in the innings for Afghanistan.

It was a sharp bouncer from Naveed that had hit Chamika Gunasekara on the helmet, with the ball speeding away to the boundary.

A concussion test was conducted on the tailender and he was cleared to continue — but that proved to be temporary.

Three overs later, Gunasekara complained to the umpire about concussion and, after being examined by the physiotherapist, he was retired.

Gunasekara did not resume his innings and was subsequently substituted by Kasun Rajitha.

Naveed took two key wickets in his morning spell, crucially removing overnight batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka’s last recognised batter.

Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal combined with Mathews for a recordbreaking partnership. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

The wicketkeeper slashed hard at a delivery and was caught by Rahmat Shah at gully. His 27 contained four boundaries and a six.

Debutant Naveed claimed a fourth wicket when he bowled Prabath Jayasuriya for two.

The 18-year-old was the pick of the bowlers and constantly troubled the Sri Lankans with extra pace and bounce.

Nijat Masood, bowling from the other end, cleaned up last man Asitha Fernando for a first-ball duck as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 439.

Afghanistan’s quicks were impressive, but the pressure exerted by them was not maintained by the spin bowlers.

With AFP