In a unique blend of sports and road safety awareness, Sri Lanka senior all-rounder Angelo Mathews found himself at the center of attention when he became the first batter in the international arena to be dismissed as ‘timed out’. This incident, which occurred during the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh 2023 World Cup game, prompted the Odisha State Transport Authority (STA) to advocate for the use of safe and certified helmets on the roads.
#RoadSafety lesson from #CWC23
Don't throw away your wicket, play a consistent long innings.
Always wear ISI certified helmet 🪖 & tie the strap. Also encourage pillion rider to do so.
On Field or Off Field #SafetyFirst always !#AngeloMatthews#CricketWorldCup#WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/r2h26t8GSn
— State Transport Authority, Odisha (@STAOdisha) November 6, 2023
Taking inspiration from Mathews’ dismissal, the Odisha STA shared a valuable lesson on road safety: “Road Safety lesson from World Cup 2023, Don’t throw away your wicket, play a consistent long innings. Always wear ISI certified helmet 🪖 & tie the strap. Also encourage pillion rider to do so. On Field or Off Field #SafetyFirst always!” This message, conveyed through social media, highlights the importance of wearing ISI certified helmets and ensuring that the straps are securely fastened while driving, both for the rider and the pillion.
The controversy arose during the match when Mathews, the seam-bowling all-rounder, called for a replacement helmet due to a broken strap. Shakib al Hasan, the opposing player, appealed, leading to Mathews’ dismissal by ‘time out’ as he failed to face the ball within the stipulated two minutes, a first in international cricket history. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of adhering to safety measures both on and off the field, emphasizing the importance of road safety for everyone.
