LBW Decisions in Cricket: Out vs Not Out and How Umpires Decide
LBW (Leg Before Wicket) is cricket's most debated dismissal — and one of the most complex rules in sport. This guide explains all the conditions required for an LBW, why not out decisions happen, how DRS has changed LBW adjudication, and common misunderstandings about the rule.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket) is the dismissal where the ball hits the batsman's pad or body (rather than the bat) and the umpire judges that, had the batsman not been there, the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. It sounds simple — but the LBW rule has multiple conditions, each of which must be satisfied before the umpire raises their finger. Understanding LBW is understanding cricket's most contested and complex area of law.
The Five LBW Conditions
For an LBW to be out, ALL of the following must apply: (1) the ball must not have hit the bat or glove first; (2) the ball must not have pitched outside leg stump; (3) the point of impact must be in line between the wickets (not outside off stump if the batsman is not offering a shot); (4) the ball must be going on to hit the stumps (would have hit the stumps had the batsman not been in the way); (5) the impact must be in line between the stumps if the batsman is playing a shot. If any condition fails, the decision is not out.
Playing a Shot vs Offering No Shot
One of LBW's most nuanced provisions involves whether the batsman is playing a shot. If the batsman is offering no shot (bat behind the pad, not attempting to play the ball), they can be out LBW to a ball pitching outside off stump — as long as the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. If the batsman IS playing a shot, a ball pitching outside off stump CANNOT result in LBW. This distinction rewards attacking play — batsmen who play shots are protected from LBW to wide balls.
LBW and DRS
The Decision Review System (DRS) has transformed LBW adjudication. Teams can review LBW decisions — the third umpire examines ball-tracking (Hawk-Eye) to determine where the ball pitched (in line or outside leg?), the point of impact (in line between wickets?), and whether the ball would have hit the stumps. DRS has revealed that on-field umpires get LBW decisions right approximately 90% of the time, but also has exposed systematic errors — particularly around the 'not out' side of umpire's call.
Frequently asked questions
Can a ball that pitches outside leg stump be given LBW?
No. If the ball pitches outside leg stump, the batsman cannot be given out LBW — regardless of where the ball hits the pad or whether it would have hit the stumps. This rule applies whether or not the batsman plays a shot.
What is 'umpire's call' in DRS?
'Umpire's call' occurs when Hawk-Eye shows the ball only clipping the edge of the stumps within the technology's margin of error. In this zone, the technology is not confident enough to overturn the on-field decision, so the original decision (out or not out) stands. If a team reviews and gets 'umpire's call,' they do not lose their review.
Can you be out LBW if the ball hits you outside the line of off stump?
It depends on whether you're playing a shot. If you play a shot and the ball hits you outside off stump, it cannot be LBW. If you're offering no shot and the ball hits you outside off stump, you CAN be out LBW — as long as the ball was going on to hit the stumps.