The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the historic guardian of cricket’s laws, has introduced a major revision to the rules governing boundary catches, decisively outlawing the controversial practice known informally as the “bunny hop” catch. This change, which comes into effect under ICC playing conditions from June 17, 2025, will be incorporated into the official MCC Laws of Cricket from October 1, 2026.

This landmark decision addresses growing concerns around the fairness and spirit of the game, particularly after several high-profile fielding incidents that, while technically legal under the existing law, sparked global debate among fans, players, and commentators. The MCC's revision ensures that fielders jumping from beyond the boundary line cannot make multiple touches of the ball unless they have fully returned to the field of play — a move seen as restoring balance between athleticism and fairness.

What Is the ‘Bunny Hop’ Catch?

The term “bunny hop” catch has become shorthand for a particular kind of fielding maneuver in modern cricket, one where a fielder jumps from outside the boundary, taps or parries the ball while in midair, and either catches it themselves upon return or assists another fielder in completing the dismissal.

While undeniably spectacular, such moves often appear to defy the spirit of the boundary rule, leading to the perception that players were gaming the laws rather than honoring the intent behind them. In these scenarios, a fielder does not make contact with the ground while outside the boundary but manipulates the ball mid-air multiple times before finally completing the dismissal, often in collaboration with a teammate.

Incidents That Sparked the Rule Change

The change follows major controversies, most notably:

• Michael Neser’s catch to dismiss Jordan Silk in the 2023 Big Bash League, where Neser executed a sequence of midair taps and jumps before completing a stunning, yet contentious, boundary catch.

• Tom Banton and Matt Renshaw’s relay catch in 2020, which was similarly legal but stirred debate over the manipulation of fielding space beyond the rope.

While these moments were within the laws, they were criticized for violating the spirit of the game, especially among cricket traditionalists and viewers who felt that the boundary should mark a definitive limit.

What the New MCC Rule States

According to the official memo from the MCC, shared with member boards via the ICC, the new law now prohibits multiple airborne touches if a player has leaped from beyond the boundary.

The key change is as follows:

“A fielder may only touch the ball once while airborne after jumping from beyond the boundary. If they do not return fully inside the field and become grounded before touching the ball again, the ball shall be declared a boundary.”

This revision applies across all formats of the game and addresses both individual fielding efforts and relay catches. In short:

• A fielder who jumps from outside the boundary is allowed only one midair touch of the ball.

• Further contact can only occur if the fielder returns fully within the boundary and becomes grounded.

• In the case of relay catches, if the first fielder launches from outside the boundary and bats the ball to a teammate, the dismissal will be disallowed unless they land inside the field of play before making a second contact or assisting a teammate.

Implementation Timeline

The rule change has two distinct implementation phases:

1. June 17, 2025 – Becomes effective in ICC Playing Conditions, including international matches across formats. This date aligns with the start of the next World Test Championship cycle, making it relevant from the very first WTC 2025 match.

2. October 1, 2026 – Included in the official MCC Laws of Cricket, giving domestic leagues time to adapt to the change.

Intent and Philosophy Behind the Change

The MCC emphasized that the move is not intended to diminish the excitement of boundary catches, but rather to restore clarity and fairness to what constitutes a legitimate dismissal.

“This revised law ensures that once a fielder has jumped from outside the boundary and touched the ball, they must return completely inside the field of play to complete any further part of the dismissal,” the MCC memo states.

The decision reflects a broader philosophy to ensure that boundaries remain a clear, physical limit. According to the MCC:

• The boundary rope should not be something that can be circumvented through airborne manipulation.

• The rule ensures equal opportunity for batters and fielders, especially in tight run chases and match-deciding moments.

• It preserves athleticism, as fielders can still attempt acrobatic stops — provided they complete them legally.

Relay Catches and Impact on Modern Fielding Techniques

One of the most affected aspects of modern fielding will be the relay catch, where multiple fielders coordinate to complete a boundary dismissal. Under the new rules:

• A relay involving a fielder who begins the action from outside the boundary will be invalid unless they re-enter the field and land inside before assisting.

• This also applies to midair parries, where the ball is swatted back to a teammate.

This change could alter coaching strategies at both professional and junior levels, where relay catches have become part of standard boundary fielding drills.

Reactions from the Cricketing Community

The announcement has already begun generating a range of responses across the cricketing world:

• Traditionalists have largely welcomed the move, arguing that it re-establishes the integrity of the game’s physical limits.

• Some modern players and fielding coaches have expressed concern that athleticism may be discouraged, though others agree it adds discipline and clarity.

• Social media has seen a mixture of reactions, with fans praising the commitment to fairness while also reminiscing over highlight-reel moments that may no longer be legal.

Impact on ICC and Domestic Cricket

With the rule becoming part of ICC Playing Conditions from June 17, all international matches — including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — will now abide by this regulation. Leagues such as:

• The Indian Premier League (IPL)

• Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL)

• The Hundred

• Pakistan Super League (PSL)
  will also likely integrate the new law into their tournament conditions once it is adopted formally by MCC in 2026.

This ensures that players cannot take advantage of loopholes in domestic competitions, maintaining uniform standards worldwide.

A Return to Simpler Boundaries

At its core, the change signals a return to cricket’s original boundary concept — that once a player steps or jumps beyond the rope, their influence over the game must cease unless they legally return.

This regulation aims to discourage “boundary manipulation” tactics, such as hopping in and out repeatedly to control the ball, and ensures that any dismissal near the rope is truly earned through both skill and legality.

Conclusion: Spirit Over Spectacle

By amending this law, the MCC and ICC affirm their commitment to protecting the spirit of the game. While some dazzling highlights may no longer occur, the change brings clarity, fairness, and consistency back to one of cricket’s most exciting — and contentious — aspects.

As the new rule comes into force globally, fielders will be challenged to adapt and demonstrate skill within tighter boundaries, ensuring that boundary catches remain breathtaking but above all, fair.

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