MCC introduces new rules banning “multiple aerial” catches
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)and jointly International Cricket Council (ICC)announcing groundbreaking changes to cricket law, targeting the controversial “bunny hop” boundary catch. Effective from June 17, 2025 under ICC Play Conditions and formally written in the MCC Act in October 2026, the new rules aim to clarify what constitutes a fair catch near the boundary, and are intended to address recent spectacular but controversial concerns about the spirit and equity of conflict efforts.
MCC makes catch illegal with large-scale corrections
Catching “Bunny Hop” – Equestrianization Michael North in Big Bash League 2023 Others – was a source of both respect and debate. In these examples, the fielder bounces back and intercepts a ball near the boundary, throws it into the air outside the rope, lands outside, then jumps again to push the ball back, or sometimes completes the catch with multiple aerial contacts. Although legal under the old law, these catches have left many fans and players questioning their fairness. Because Fielders can manipulate the law to avoid admitting the six in a way that appears to defy the spirit of the game.
Under the new rules, such multi-touch aerial operations from outside the boundaries are considered illegal. Now, if the fielder jumps from outside the boundary and touches the ball, they will need to get fully within the field of play to count the catch. A boundary is awarded if the fielder lands outside after touching the ball or makes contact with the ground outside the rope during its delivery. The MCC’s memo to the Member Committee explained that this change was necessary as previous law led to “.There are some unusual looking catches that feel unfair to the majority of the cricket masses”. The new amendments will come into effect on June 17th.
Michael Neser’s incredible catch
Let Glenmaxwell explain why it’s a legitimate catch #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/7yortiufat
– 7cricket (@7cricket) January 1, 2023
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Importantly, not all acrobatic boundary catches are banned. The new law allows fielders to push the ball up from inside the boundary and step for momentum. You can then dive or jump to complete the catch. This distinction draws a clear line in the “bunny hop” technique, which relies on repeated aerial touches from beyond the boundary, while maintaining the excitement of the athletic field.
The precise language of the law states that after jumping from outside the boundary, a fielder in contact with the ball in the air must land and remain within the field of play until the ball dies. The contact with the out-of-boundary ground during its delivery is at the boundary rather than at the wicket, whether the fielder is in contact with the ball or not.
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