Leg before wicket

Leg before wicket

Leg before wicket (LBW) is one of the ways in which a batsman can be dismissed in the sport of cricket. It is governed by Law 36 of the Laws of Cricket.

Overview

The LBW rule is designed to prevent a batsman from using their body to block the ball from hitting the wicket. If the ball strikes any part of the batsman's body before hitting the bat, and the umpire believes that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps, the batsman can be given out LBW.

Criteria for LBW

For an LBW decision to be given, several conditions must be met:

• The ball must pitch in line with the stumps or on the off side of the batsman.
• The ball must not have pitched outside the line of leg stump.
• The ball must strike the batsman's body in line with the stumps or outside the off stump if the batsman is not attempting a shot.
• The ball must have been going on to hit the stumps.

Umpire's Decision

The decision to give a batsman out LBW is made by the on-field umpire. The umpire must consider the trajectory of the ball, the point of impact, and whether the batsman was attempting to play a shot. Modern technology, such as Hawk-Eye, is often used in professional matches to assist umpires with LBW decisions.

Historical Context

The LBW rule has evolved over time. Initially, it was introduced to prevent batsmen from using their legs to block the ball. The rule has been refined to ensure a fair balance between bat and ball, making the game more competitive.

Controversies and Discussions

LBW decisions can be contentious and are often the subject of debate among players, commentators, and fans. The introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) has helped reduce errors but has also led to discussions about the accuracy and consistency of technology.

Related Pages

• Cricket
• Laws of Cricket
• Umpire (cricket)
• Decision Review System
• Hawk-Eye
• Dismissal (cricket)

See Also

• Bowled
• Caught
• Run out
• Stumped
• Hit wicket