MCC Changes Boundary Catch Rule; ‘Bunny Hops’ Now Deemed Illegal in Landmark Move

Cricket fans have loved watching some unbelievable boundary catches in recent years like Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning grab in the 2024 T20 World Cup or Michael Neser’s much-talked-about relay catch in the BBL. But from October 2026, the rules for these kinds of catches are set to change. The MCC is tightening things up to put a stop to what many call “bunny-hop” catches.

The updated rule, which already applies under ICC playing conditions and will officially be added to the MCC’s lawbook in 2026, clears up confusion about airborne fielders making contact with the ball outside the boundary. Simply put: if you touch the ball while outside the ropes, your next step must land inside the field of play or it’s a boundary.

The 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". MCC note said.

"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.""

MCC Introduces New Law on Boundary Catches

Clause	Law Description
19.5.2	A fielder is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if, before their first contact with the ball, their last contact with the ground was not fully within the boundary. This applies regardless of whether the ball was touched by another fielder.
19.5.2.1	If a fielder's first contact with the ball is legal (as per 19.5.2), they may jump from outside the boundary to contact the ball while airborne. However, after doing so, all future ground contacts must be inside the field until the ball becomes dead. If the fielder touches the ground outside the boundary during this time, it results in a boundary.
19.5.2.2	If a fielder who jumped from outside the boundary returns the ball into play (to another fielder or the ground), they must land and remain within the boundary until the ball is dead. Otherwise, a boundary is scored.

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