What is LBW or ‘leg before wicket’?

What is LBW or ‘leg before wicket’?

As abbreviated as ‘l.b.w’ or ‘lbw’ this method of dismissal occurs when any part of the batsman’s person apart from his hand and forearm, is situated between the two sets of stumps and the opinion of the umpire prevents a ball, which either hits him in full, or pitched on a line between the two wickets from hitting the stumps. Current rules state that a batsman can be given ‘lbw’ if the ball pitches on the offside of the stumps and would have hit the wicket, but for the batsman preventing it by means of his person, Unless he did so whilst attempting to play a stroke