Australia women vs India: Why was Phoebe Litchfield not given lbw – rule explained

Phoebe Litchfield was adjudged not out during India vs Australia match at the Women’s T20 World Cup. Image: Screenshot

During the 17th over of the first innings in their Women’s T20 World Cup match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield attempted a reverse sweep against India’s Deepti Sharma.
Litchfield was initially given out leg-before after missing the ball, but she opted for a review of the on-field decision, which came out in her favour.
The third umpire determined that the ball had pitched outside the line of leg stump and instructed the on-field umpire to overturn the call.
The Indian team looked perplexed at the decision. They seemed to suggest that as the batter changed her batting stance, she should have been treated as a right-hander.
However, as per the rules, the definition of off and on sides does not change even if the batter attempts to change their stance while playing a reverse hit. As a result, it would adjudged that the ball had pitched outside leg and given not out.

The rule in question falls under Law 36.1.2 of the MCC, which states that a batter can only be ruled leg before wicket if “the ball, if it is not intercepted full-pitch, pitches in line between wicket and wicket or on the off side of the striker’s wicket.”
Litchfield ended up scoring an unbeaten 15 runs from nine balls, contributing to Australia finishing strongly at 151 for eight.
In reply, India were stopped short on 142/9 to lose by nine-runs. With that, Australia qualified for the semi-finals while India’s hopes of progressing will depend on the outcome of the Pakistan vs New Zealand match today.