What Does “LBW | 1st Innings” Mean in Cricket Betting?
LBW | 1st Innings means you are betting on whether an LBW decision will take place during the first innings of the match — regardless of which team it happens to.
Bookmakers may offer this market in two main forms:
- LBW to Occur – Yes/No
- Yes: You’re betting that at least one batsman will be out LBW during the first innings.
- No: You’re betting that there will be no LBW dismissals in the first innings.
- Team-Specific LBW Betting
- Example: “LBW in 1st Innings – Team A: Yes/No”
- Here, the bet applies only to Team A’s batting innings.
How It Works – Example
Example Match:
India vs. Australia (Test Match)
- Market: “LBW in 1st Innings – Yes/No”
- You bet Yes at odds of 1.90.
Scenario:
- India bats first.
- During India’s first innings, Marnus Labuschagne (Australia) gets out LBW to Bumrah.
Your bet wins because an LBW dismissal occurred during the first innings.
If all wickets fell by other means (caught, bowled, run-out, etc.) and no LBW occurred, your bet would lose.
Key Factors to Consider When Betting on LBW | 1st Innings
- Pitch Conditions
- Dry and dusty pitches often help spinners, increasing LBW chances.
- Green or seaming wickets can also produce LBWs with fast bowlers swinging the ball.
- Bowling Attack
- Teams with accurate bowlers who pitch the ball straight (e.g., Bumrah, Hazlewood, Anderson, Ashwin) tend to produce more LBWs.
- Batting Style
- Defensive players who play across the line or stay deep in the crease are more prone to LBW dismissals.
- Umpire & DRS Impact
- Matches using DRS (Decision Review System) increase the chances of LBW dismissals being upheld, as technology corrects on-field errors.
- Match Format
- Test matches and ODIs see more LBWs than T20s due to longer innings and more traditional bowling lines.
Example Odds
| Market | Option | Typical Odds |
|---|---|---|
| LBW in 1st Innings | Yes | 1.85 |
| LBW in 1st Innings | No | 1.90 |
| Team A LBW in 1st Innings | Yes | 2.10 |
| Team B LBW in 1st Innings | No | 1.75 |
(Odds vary depending on teams, format, and conditions.)
Betting Tips for LBW | 1st Innings
- Analyze the Bowlers:
- Bet “Yes” if teams have accurate, straight-line bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi, or Trent Boult.
- Check the Venue:
- Subcontinent pitches (India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan) are more favorable for LBWs due to low bounce and spin.
- Consider Match Format:
- In Test matches, LBWs are frequent; in T20s, they are less common because batsmen often attack straight deliveries.
- Look at Past Data:
- Review the previous 5 matches at the same venue to see how many LBWs occurred.
- Use “No” When Conditions Don’t Suit Bowlers:
- On flat batting tracks or small grounds, LBWs are less likely — making “No” a safer option.
Example Betting Strategy
- Match: England vs. Pakistan (ODI)
- Venue: Abu Dhabi (slow pitch, helps spinners)
- Bowlers: Shadab Khan, Rashid, and Wood all play.
- Your Bet: LBW in 1st Innings – Yes
Reason: Spin-friendly pitch and bowlers who target the stumps.
Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Market Name | LBW |
| Focus | Whether an LBW dismissal happens in the first innings |
| Bet Types | Yes/No or Team-specific |
| Best Formats | Test and ODI |
| Main Factors | Pitch, bowlers, DRS, batting technique |
Final Tip
If the pitch assists bowlers who attack the stumps, and DRS is active, betting “LBW in 1st Innings – Yes” is often a smart and value-driven choice.