Watch: When Sourav Ganguly came close to being dismissed timeout

The Newlands at Cape Town witnessed some unusual scenario, as a time out was on the cards for the very first time in the history of Test cricket. But then Sourav Ganguly walked out the matter wasn’t stretched further. India were 2 wickets down for 6 runs on the board, as Wasim Jaffer was caught in two minds by Makhaya Ntini; while Virender Sehwag was picked by Dale Steyn.

The spectators and players witnessed an unusual situation, as there were no signs of the next batsman coming out. The commentators hinted that history may take place as the next Indian batsman may well be timed-out according to the rules. The match referee was in a spot of bother while the crowd went bonkers. Shaun Pollock and Daryl Harper had a word or two, and a time-out was on the cards.

The batsman had two minutes to arrive, and there was a danger of losing out on a wicket. There was no appeal from the South African’s, as former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly made his way out in the middle in his typical fashion. Making the skipper wait was nothing new for Sourav, but this time he made the entire team eagerly wait in anticipation.

Later on, it was learnt that the delay had been the result of the time Sachin Tendulkar spent off the field on the third day. Tendulkar was padded up and ready to emerge when Jaffer’s wicket fell at 10:43 am, but Murray Brown, the fourth umpire, informed him that he wasn’t supposed to be out there till after 10:48.

VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly were asked to pad up. Out on the field, Daryl Harper informed Graeme Smith about the developments and that the delay was a result of unforeseen circumstances and not a deliberate tactic. In the spirit of the game, he requested Smith not to appeal for a Timed-Out dismissal. Smith agreed. But by the time Ganguly finally made it to the middle, the clock has just rolled over to 10:49 am.

After the day’s play, Daryl Harper addressed the scenario that took place. Harper said that after the first Indian wicket fell nine minutes into the day he asked Marais Erasmus, the third umpire, to send a reminder to the Indian dressing room that Tendulkar could not bat until 18 minutes had elapsed.

“It’s pretty straightforward really,” said Harper. “If a player leaves the field he’s got to be responsible for his own actions. I thought I should send a reminder just in case there was any misunderstanding.”

Harper said the South Africans had not appealed for “timed out” – a form of dismissal which has never happened in Test cricket and only four times in first-class games. “I had explained to them that there were exceptional circumstances and they were quite happy with that,” he said.

Ganguly said that fourth umpire Murray Brown had arrived at the dressing room with Harper’s reminder as the second wicket fell. VVS Laxman, who was due to bat after Tendulkar, was in the shower and Ganguly had to pad up in a hurry. “I had to get ready. I was in my tracksuit,” he said.

(Source: Cricinfo)