leg-before-wicket

For a century and more, umpires were notoriously wary of giving players out leg-before-wicket, which requires an umpire to assess whether a ball that hits a batsman's pad would have gone on to hit the stumps.

Beware the Doosra Destroyer Jonathan Clegg 2012

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Sri Lankan pacer Chanaka Welegedara, foreground, and teammate Kumar Sangakkara, wearing hat, unsuccessfully appeal for a leg-before-wicket decision against Pakistani batsman Taufiq Umar, not in photo, during the second day of their test at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 19.

'Bad' Pitches Make for Cracking Cricket Richard Lord 2011

Studying replay footage has helped him realize, for example, that a lot of leg-before-wicket appeals he had previously turned down, believing them to be missing the leg stump the one nearest the batsman when he's standing to receive the ball, were actually hitting it — and he's adjusted his parameters accordingly.

Technology Catches Up With Cricket Richard Lord 2011

If the ball is fast and full, the batsman has two choices: To be bowled or to given out leg-before-wicket.

Fortune Swings to Australia Jonathan Clegg 2010

But Mr. Swann has also revived the art of orthodox finger spin thanks in large part to the advent of instant replay, which has spawned a curious trend in modern cricket: Test umpires are now willing to give spin bowlers leg-before-wicket decisions they would once have turned down without a second thought.

Swann on Song for England Jonathan Clegg 2010

G.M.F. So they're talking about amending the leg-before-wicket rule again.

Flashman's Lady Fraser, George MacDonald, 1925- 1977

If ever, in the whole history of cricket, a man was out leg-before-wicket, Scott was so out to Tony's second ball.

Tales of St. Austin's 1928

She should show them how to hold their bats, and never allow leg-before-wicket even with the veriest kid.

Monitress Merle Angela Brazil 1907

The play was so slow that most of the spectators were fast asleep, and, on being awakened by one of the officials clearing the ground, we learnt that two men had been put out leg-before-wicket for a combined score of 19 runs; four men were caught for a combined score or 17 runs; one man was run out for a duck's egg; and the others were all bowled for 3 runs each.

Amusements in Mathematics Henry Ernest Dudeney 1893

It was two hours before Jack had sorely lamed him in the hip, and the umpire had given it leg-before-wicket.

The Fixed Period Anthony Trollope 1848