MCC introduces fresh fielding rule to outlaw ‘bunny hops’ boundary catches

A new regulation that will make “bunny hop” boundary catches unlawful has been added to the Marylebone Cricket Club‘s (MCC) Laws of Cricket. Later this month, the ICC will implement this modification into its playing conditions, and in October 2026, it will be formally added to the Laws of Cricket. Following occurrences in the Big Bash League (BBL), specifically Michael Neser’s acrobatic performance at BBL 2023, the decision was made.

Law 19.5.2, as amended by the MCC, will now prohibit fielders from touching the ball in the air more than once while outside the boundary.

In order for a catch to be considered legitimate, the fielder must land completely inside the field of play if they jump from outside the boundary and touch the ball. A boundary will be established if, during the same delivery, there is any more touch with the ground outside the ropes, even if it is not in contact with the ball.

“The ‘bunny hop’ completely over the boundary is no longer allowed under the new terminology that MCC has created, but fielders are still allowed to make these catches—where they push the ball up from inside the boundary, step outside, and then dive back in to catch it. The MCC note stated, “We have decided to restrict any fielder who has crossed the boundary to touching the ball while in the air just once and then being completely grounded inside the boundary for the remainder of that delivery.”

Relay catches are also covered under the updated law. Regardless of the ultimate catch, a boundary will be awarded if a fielder pushes the ball to a teammate while beyond the boundary and does not come back inside before the ball is dead. However, the previous law, which was implemented in 2010, has resulted in odd and unjust dismissals.

Interestingly, there were proposals to go back to the regulations from before 2010, which required fielders to ground themselves inside the field before making any more contact. But according to MCC, it would be unjust and ignore good attempts, like Alex Hales’ 2020 boundary attempt or Harleen Deol’s 2021 catch.