MCC Law 36: Leg Before Wicket (LBW) Explained & 3-Point Criteria
Under MCC Law 36, a batter is Out LBW if a legally delivered ball (not a No Ball) pitches in line with the wickets or on the off-side, strikes the batter’s person before touching the bat or glove, and the umpire determines that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps.
The Four Critical Assessment Conditions
The ball must pitch in line between wicket and wicket OR outside the off stump. If the ball pitches outside the leg stump line, the batter CANNOT be given out LBW under any circumstance.
If the batter makes a genuine shot attempt, impact must occur in line with the wickets. If NO shot is attempted, impact outside off stump is eligible for dismissal.
The ball must touch the batter's pad or body first. If the ball touches the bat, glove in contact with the handle, or both simultaneously, LBW is not out.
The ball must be on a trajectory that would have struck any part of the wickets (stumps or bails) without intervening factors.
Officiating Scenarios & Decisions
Spin bowler turns the ball from outside leg stump into the batter's pads right in front of middle stump. Not Out because ball pitched outside leg.
Batter shoulders arms outside off stump; ball strikes pad outside the off-stump line but DRS ball-tracking confirms it would have hit off stump. Out because no shot was offered.
Fast bowler delivers inswinger. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball glances the inside edge of the bat before striking the knee roll. Not Out.
Sources & Verification
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08 by the Laws of Sport Editorial Team.