Summary
A batsman can be given out if the ball hits the pad and would have gone on to hit the stumps, subject to various conditions about where the ball pitched and where it hit the pad.
Full Explanation
The LBW law is one of cricket's most complex and debated rules. For a batsman to be given out LBW, several conditions must be met:
1. The ball must not pitch outside leg stump 2. If the ball pitches outside off stump, the batsman must not be offering a shot for the impact outside off to count 3. The ball must be hitting the pad in line with the stumps (if a shot is offered) or anywhere (if no shot is offered) 4. Ball tracking must show the ball would go on to hit the stumps
The introduction of DRS and ball-tracking technology has revolutionized LBW decisions. The "umpire's call" element means that if less than 50% of the ball is hitting the stumps, the on-field decision stands, creating significant controversy.
Historically, the LBW law was introduced to prevent batsmen from using their pads to block every delivery. The law has been amended multiple times — in 1935 to allow decisions when the ball pitched outside off stump, and in 1970 when the "offering a shot" criterion was refined.
Key Points
- •Ball must not pitch outside leg stump
- •Impact must be in line if batsman is playing a shot
- •Ball must be hitting the stumps according to ball tracking
- •DRS 'umpire's call' applies when less than 50% of ball is hitting stumps
- •One of the most common modes of dismissal in Test cricket
Notable Controversies
- •Sachin Tendulkar given out LBW by Steve Bucknor in 2003 World Cup — ball clearly going over stumps
- •Umpire's call controversy — many feel close decisions should override the on-field umpire
- •Sydney Test 2008 — multiple wrong LBW decisions against India
- •DRS has shown on-field umpires get approximately 8-10% of LBW decisions wrong
Related Rules
Decision Review System (DRS)
A technology-based system that allows players to challenge on-field umpiring decisions using ball-tracking, UltraEdge, and video replays.
Umpire's Call
When DRS shows the ball is only marginally hitting the stumps (less than 50%), the on-field umpire's original decision stands — cricket's most controversial modern rule.
Hawk-Eye Ball Tracking
Computer vision technology that tracks the trajectory of the cricket ball and predicts its future path, used primarily for LBW decisions in DRS.