What is Leg Before Wicket (LBW)? Leg Before Wicket Betting Explained

David Genge Editor

Fact checked by:
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026

Leg Before Wicket – more commonly referred to as LBW – is one of the methods of dismissal a bowler can use against a batting player in a cricket match.

Less common that being caught or bowled, but more common than being stumped, an LBW decision is given when the umpire is of the belief that the batting player has obstructed a ball with the leg (or another part of the body) when it would have otherwise hit the wicket. The ball must also have pitched in line with the wicket (or on the off side of the stumps).

The term – and method of dismissal - applies in test matches, one-day matches and Twenty20 fixtures.

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How is Leg Before Wicket used in Sports Betting?

As LBW is a method of dismissal it can be used as part of a number of different bets when it comes to cricket.

The method of dismissal bet focuses on a specified player and a little bit of research can tell bettors whether a player is more susceptible to being caught leg before wicket. There is also the opportunity to bet on the method of next wicket dismissal regardless of the player. If there are no further wickets this usually renders all bets void.

The odds of a leg before wicket dismissal are longer than other methods and can therefore seem more attractive.

Did you know…

In 1999 Australia hosted India and the hotly anticipated duel between Glenn McGrath and Sachin Tendulkar ended in controversy when Tendulkar was given out by LBW when the ball struck his shoulder. The umpire rightly decided that as Tendulkar was crouching in front of the stumps at the time it was LBW – even though the ball didn’t touch his leg.

See also…

Caught

Bowled

Stumped

Method of dismissal betting