Cricket is governed by a set of laws maintained by an international custodian of the game. A few of them cause the most debate among new viewers.

LBW

Leg before wicket is a way of being dismissed when the ball hits the batter’s body or pad instead of the bat and would have gone on to hit the stumps. Several conditions apply, including where the ball pitched and where it struck the batter, which is why decisions can be debated.

No-balls and wides

  • A no-ball can be called for overstepping the crease or other illegal deliveries; the batting side gets an extra run and usually a free hit in limited-overs formats.
  • A wide is a delivery too far from the batter to be hit; it also adds a run and must be re-bowled.

Ways of getting out

Besides LBW, batters can be bowled, caught, run out, stumped, hit wicket and in rare cases dismissed in other ways listed in the laws.

Technology

Decision review systems let teams ask for a second look at certain decisions. Ball tracking, edge detection and replays help the third umpire decide, though rules on how they are used depend on the competition.

Takeaway

The laws exist to keep the contest fair. When a decision surprises you, check the current laws and playing conditions of the competition.