 Leg before wicket first appeared in the laws of cricket in 1774 , as batsmen began to use their pads to prevent the ball hitting their wicket . Over several years , refinements were made to clarify where the ball should pitch and to remove the element of interpreting the batsman 's intentions . The 1839 version of the law used a wording that remained in place for nearly 100 years . However , from the latter part of the 19th century , batsmen became increasingly expert at " pad @-@ play " to reduce the risk of their dismissal . Following a number of failed proposals for reform , in 1935 the law was expanded , such that batsmen could be dismissed lbw even if the ball pitched outside the line of off stump . Critics felt this change made the game unattractive as it encouraged negative tactics at the expense of leg spin bowling . 
 Leg before wicket first appeared in the laws of cricket in 1774 , as batsmen began to use their pads to prevent the ball hitting their wicket . Over several years , refinements <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> made to clarify where the ball should pitch and to remove the element of interpreting the batsman <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>intentions . The 1839 version of the law used a wording <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>remained in place for nearly 100 years . However , from the latter part of the 19th century , batsmen became increasingly expert at " pad @-@ play " to reduce the risk of their dismissal . Following a number of failed proposals for reform , in 1935 the law was expanded , such that batsmen could be dismissed lbw even if the ball pitched outside the line of off stump . Critics felt this change made the game unattractive as it encouraged negative tactics at the expense of leg spin bowling . 
Leg b4 wicket first appeared in da laws of cricket in 1774 , as batsmen began to use their pads to prevent tdaball hittin their wicket . ova several yrs , refinements was made to clarify where the ball should pitch and to remove the element of interpreting thdaatsman  intentions . The 1839 version of the law used a wording remained in place for nearly 100 years . However , from thedatter part of the dah century , batsmen became increasingly expert at " pad @-@ play " to reduce the risk of their dismissal . Following a number of failed proposals fir reform , in 1935 the ldawas expanded , such that batsmen could be dismissed lbw even if the ball pitched outside the lidaof off stump . Critics felt this change made the game unattractive as it encouraged negative tactics at the expense of leg spin bowling .