LBW rule explained
Short answer: A batter is out LBW (Law 36) if the ball would hit the stumps and the striker is struck in line with the stumps, with no contact on bat, and no exemption (e.g., pitched outside leg stump).
Relevant laws
- Law 36 (Leg Before Wicket): impact, pitch, and ball-tracking judgment.
- Law 22 (Wide ball) and Law 3 (umpire decisions) for context.
Format differences (Test / ODI / T20)
- DRS availability and review time limits vary by competition.
- White-ball formats often apply stricter over-rate and review timelines.
Edge cases
- Pitched outside leg stump: cannot be out LBW.
- Inside edge onto pad: not out LBW (bat contact precedes pad).
- Impact outside off: only out if the batter offered no shot.
Reminder
Always check local playing conditions for review protocols and technology use.
Related articles
FAQs
Does ball-tracking have to show all three reds?
Most competitions require the ball to be projected to hit the stumps; “umpire’s call” applies where relevant under local DRS terms.
Is a batter offering no shot judged differently?
Yes. If no shot is offered, impact outside off can still be out LBW if the ball would hit the stumps.