Cricket has long celebrated spectacular fielding efforts, none more so than acrobatic boundary line catches. However, a recent trend of “bunny hop” catches, while thrilling, has sparked debate about fairness and the spirit of the game. In response, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the Laws of Cricket, has introduced a significant rule change, effectively putting an end to these multi-touch airborne antics near the boundary.
This change will come into effect in international cricket through ICC playing conditions from June 17, 2025, aligning with the start of the new World Test Championship cycle. The official MCC Laws of Cricket will be revised to reflect this change in October 2026.
What is a “Bunny Hop” Boundary Catch?
A “bunny hop” boundary catch refers to a fielding scenario where a player, in an attempt to prevent a boundary or complete a catch, makes multiple airborne contacts with the ball while being outside the boundary rope. Previously, the rule allowed a fielder to jump from inside the field, go airborne outside, tap the ball back in (even multiple times), or even relay the ball mid-air to other fielders who were also airborne outside the boundary, as long as their last contact with the ground before their first contact with the ball was entirely within the boundary.
Notable examples that fueled the debate include Michael Neser’s catch in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023 and a relay catch involving Tom Banton and Matt Renshaw in BBL 2020. These catches, while technically legal under the old law, often involved fielders pushing the ball up, going outside, jumping again, and re-entering the field to complete the catch, leading many to question their legitimacy.
The Old Rule (Law 19.5.2) – A Loophole Explored
Under the previous Law 19.5.2, the critical element was the fielder’s last contact with the ground before their first contact with the ball. As long as this contact was inside the boundary, subsequent airborne movements outside the rope to keep the ball in play were permissible. This allowed for seemingly impossible saves and catches, where fielders would throw the ball up, step out, jump, touch the ball again, and then land inside to complete the catch or parry it to a teammate.
The New Rule Change: Stricter Interpretation and “One-Touch” Limit
The revised Law 19.5.2 introduces a stricter interpretation, aiming to remove the “bunny hop” entirely. The core of the new rule can be summarized as:
- One Airborne Touch from Outside: A fielder is now allowed to jump from outside the boundary and touch the ball once while airborne.
- Subsequent Ground Contact Must Be Within Boundary: After that initial airborne touch from outside the boundary, every subsequent contact with the ground by that fielder, until the ball becomes dead, must be entirely within the field of play. If the fielder lands or steps outside the boundary at any point after that first airborne touch from outside, it will be called a boundary, irrespective of whether a catch was completed or the ball was returned to play.
- Applies to All Fielders in Relay Catches: The new rule extends to all fielders involved in a play. In relay catches, every fielder who touches the ball must meet the same grounding conditions. If a fielder parries the ball while airborne outside the boundary and fails to return inside the field before the catch is completed (even by a teammate), it will be ruled a boundary.
In essence, the new rule limits any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to touching the ball while airborne only once. After that single airborne contact from outside, they must be wholly grounded within the boundary for the remainder of that delivery.
Why the Change?
The MCC’s decision stems from a desire to align the laws with the public’s perception of fairness. While the previous law led to some “spectacular” fielding efforts, it also resulted in “unusual-looking catches that, to the majority of the cricketing public, feel unfair.” The “bunny hop” was seen as taking the athleticism “too far,” and the new rule aims to strike a balance between encouraging brilliant fielding and maintaining the integrity and spirit of the game.
Impact on Fielding and the Game
This rule change will undoubtedly alter boundary fielding tactics. Fielders will need to be even more precise with their movements and positioning, knowing that they have only one chance to touch the ball while airborne from outside the boundary before needing to be fully inside the ropes. While some sensational catches might become a thing of the past, the change is expected to bring more clarity and reduce controversies surrounding boundary line fielding. Players will adapt, and new forms of boundary athleticism, adhering strictly to the revised law, will likely emerge.
