support@headlinenews360.com
Boundary catches with multiple airborne touches outside the field of play will be deemed illegal according to the new ruling by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), set to be integrated into the ICC playing conditions later this month and MCC laws in October 2026.
Michael Neser’s catch during Big Bash League (BBL) 2023 was taken as reference by ICC’s cricket committee where the fielder hopped twice in the air to keep the ball in play before completing the catch inside the field of play. While it was deemed legal as per the current law, 19.5.2, but such event would be illegal when the new ruling comes into effect.
What the current law, 19.5.2, says:
A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his final contact with the ground, before his first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary.
As part of its revision, the MCC has clarified that any fielder making a second contact with the ball after jumping from beyond the boundary must land inside the field of play, or else a boundary will be awarded.
According to a note circulated to member boards by the ICC, “MCC has devised a new wording where the ‘bunny hop’ wholly beyond the boundary is removed, but these catches where the fielder pushes the ball up from inside the boundary, steps outside and then dives back in to catch the ball, are permitted.”
“Our solution has been to limit any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to touching the ball while airborne only once, and then, having done so, to be wholly grounded within the boundary for the rest of the duration of that delivery.”
The rule will also apply to relay catches. If a fielder fails to return inside the playing field from outside before the catch is completed – even by another player – it will be called a boundary.
The revised rule will be enforced starting June 17, when the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh.
