Cricket Rules According to LBW

The LBW (leg before wicket) rule can result in the end of a batsman's innings in a cricket match. The basis of the rule is that if the ball hits the batsman's pads and would have gone on to hit the stumps (bowler's target) then a batsman can be dismissed. LBW decisions are decided by the umpire at the bowler's end and scrutinized in international matches via TV replays.

  1. Ball Pitches Online with the Stumps

    • If the ball hits the pads having pitched (bounced) on line with the stumps, then the batsman can be dismissed LBW. If the ball goes on to hit the bat after the pad then the batsman can still be called out, but if it is bat then pad then a not-out decision is declared.

    Ball Pitches outside the Line of Off Stump

    • If the ball pitches outside the line of off stump (left-hand stump from the bowler's angle) when it hits the pad and the batsman is playing a shot then the batsman cannot be called out, even if the ball would have gone on to hit. If the batsman offers no shot and the ball would have hit the stumps when it hit the pads, then the batsman can be dismissed.

    Ball Pitches Outside the Line of Leg Stump

    • If the ball pitches outside the line of leg stump (right-hand stump from the bowler's angle) and hits the batsman's pads, then the batsman cannot be called out, regardless of whether the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.

    Other Body Parts

    • If the ball hits another part of the body-- the helmet, for example--in line with the stumps and is judged to be going on to hit, then the batsman can still be called out LBW. The exception is the gloves, which are considered part of the bat,