Why can’t you be out LBW if the ball pitches outside leg stump?

The rule protects batters from bowlers aiming at their legs from outside the leg stump. Law 36 says a ball that pitches outside the line of leg stump can never lead to an LBW dismissal.

Does the fielding side have to appeal?

Yes. As with any dismissal, the umpire can only give a batter out if the fielding side appeals, usually by shouting “How’s that?”.

What is umpire’s call in DRS?

When ball-tracking shows the impact or the ball hitting the stumps is only marginal, the original on-field decision stands. That is called umpire’s call, and the reviewing team usually keeps its review.

Cricket quiz

Is It LBW? Check Any Decision

Saw a close leg-before-wicket call? Answer the same questions an umpire asks under Law 36 and get the decision with the reason. Then try the eight practice decisions below.

Question 1

Was the delivery a no-ball?

A batter cannot be out LBW from a no-ball.

Practice: out or not out?

Score: 0 / 0

1. A right-handed batter shuffles across and is hit on the pad in line with middle stump. The ball pitched on leg stump and would have hit middle. No bat involved.
2. The ball pitches just outside leg stump, straightens and hits the batter in front of middle stump. It would have hit middle stump.
3. The batter pads up and leaves a ball that pitches outside off stump. It hits the pad outside the line of off stump and would have hit off stump.
4. Same ball as above, but this time the batter plays a genuine forward defensive shot and misses. The impact is outside off stump.
5. The ball clips the inside edge of the bat, then hits the pad in front of the stumps.
6. A full toss hits the batter on the toe in line with the stumps and would have hit middle stump.
7. The ball hits the batter in line, but it was bouncing so much that it would have gone over the stumps.
8. The bowler oversteps and a no-ball is called. The ball would have hit middle stump after hitting the pad in line.

The LBW rule in one paragraph

A batter is out LBW when a fair delivery hits any part of their body or equipment, other than the bat or the glove holding it, and the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. The ball must not have pitched outside leg stump. The point of impact must be in line with the stumps, or outside off stump if the batter made no genuine attempt to play the ball. The fielding side must also appeal.

Read the full LBW explainer

LBW FAQs

LBW: common questions

LBW stands for leg before wicket. It is one of the ten ways a batter can be dismissed and is covered by Law 36 of the Laws of Cricket.