The main improvement of the rule of the cricket field was announced by the cricket club Marylebone (MCC), administrators of the laws of the game. MCC altered the Act 19.5.2 and tightened what is considered to be a legal effort for a field near the border. The rule will come into force for international cricket from 17 June 2025 and will be officially incorporated into MCC law since October 2026.
The aim is to end the confusion and reduce catches including several touches in the air or “bunny hops” outside the border, which fans and players are increasingly considered unfair – albeit technically legal.
Remarkable examples include Multi-hop catch Michaela Nesera in BBL 2023 and the 2020 relay, including Tom Banton and Matt Renshaw. While the fans were amazed on sensational efforts in both cases, questions about the justice of such an effort were asked. Relatively little even suggested a change in the rule.
Here is an explanation of the change of the rule that will be considered “Bunny Hops” when catching along the border.
Bunny Hop Catch that was considered legal
The earlier version of the Act 19.5.2 said: “The subsequently in contact with the ground is considered to be founded as a border if his last contact with the ground before his first contact with the ball was not entirely on the border.”
The rule has been allowed:
- Several air touches of the ball in the field that initially jumped from the field.
- Relay of catches where teammates could be outside the middle air if the initial conditions were met.
How will a new rule for boundaries work work
The updated Act 19.5.2 brings fundamental changes in how the catches near the border, especially those concerning air field or transmission efforts, are assessed.
Here is a detailed distribution of changes and how they will have an impact on playing.
What has changed in the main law (19.5.2)
Previously, this rule only applied to the first player in the field that touched the ball. As part of the new version, it applies to every player in the field who participates in the game – whether the ball was touched.
This means that in a catch with a multiple serial relay, all Police must meet the same grounding conditions before they touch the ball.
Loader 19.5.2.1-one touch of air from outside
- Fielder is still allowed to jump from the outside of the border and once touch the ball while in the air.
- However, after this first touch, they must do so in the game area every time they contact the country.
- If they land or get off the border during the rest of this game – even after the catch or throw – will be calculated as a border.
- In fact: Fielder gets one chance to touch the ball after the rope. From this point, it must be fully inside the field until the ball does not.
Lover 19.5.2.2-Betting the Ball in the Relay of Respects
- If in the field he jumps from the outside of the border and returns the ball to the field – either discard it to another field or click back – must land inside the field and stay there until the game ends.
- If he rises off the border again during the same van, he decided on the border regardless of the final result of the ball.
According to the words MCC: “MCC invented a new version, where” Bunny hop “is removed completely beyond, but these catches, where the ball is pushing the ball from the inside of the border, proceeding out and then immersing back to catch the ball,” the note is allowed.
“Our solution was to limit every player in the field that passed off the border to touch the ball while in the air was only once, and after he did so to be completely grounded within the boundary for the rest of the birth.”
“Even if the ball is forgiven – to another player in the field or inside the pitch – if the player in the field lands off the border or then step out, the border will be evaluated.
“For clarity, this means that Fielder gets one chance and only one chance to touch the ball that jumped out of the outside.
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
14 June 2025
