MCC deems 'bunny hop' catches illegal, new rule to be included in ICC's Playing Conditions this month

According to an MCC note circulated to member boards by the ICC, while the existing law 'led to some spectacular' fielding efforts, it also allowed 'some unusual-looking catches that, to the majority of the cricketing public, feel unfair'. read more
Michael Neser's catch during the BBL 12 final between Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers was cited as one of the reasons behind the MCC deeming such catches as illegal. Image credit: Screengrab of video posted by @7Cricket on X
Boundary catches involving 'bunny hops', or multiple airborne touches outside the rope, have been deemed illegal by the Marylebone Cricket Club, with the new ruling set to be integrated into ICC's playing conditions this month and the MCC's laws from October next year.
Spectacular catches like the ones pulled off by Michael Neser during BBL 2023 and Tom Banton, with Matt Renshaw's help in 2020, will not be considered legal once the updated rule comes into force.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
According to an MCC note circulated to member boards by the ICC, while the existing law 'led to some spectacular' fielding efforts, it also allowed 'some unusual-looking catches that, to the majority of the cricketing public, feel unfair'.
Describing Neser's catch for Brisbane Heat to dismiss Jordan Silk, the MCC said the fielder 'bunny hopped' before completing the catch inside the boundary. While the act complied with the law at the time, the note added it 'felt like the fielder had - quite literally - gone too far'.
Outrageous catch from Michael Neser 😱
Allow Glenn Maxwell to explain why it's a legit catch #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/7YORTIUFat — 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 1, 2023
Both instances triggered widespread debate, prompting the ICC and MCC to review Law 19.5.2, which was last updated in 2010.
As part of its revision, the MCC clarified that any fielder making a second contact with the ball after jumping from beyond the boundary must land inside the field of play, or else a boundary will be awarded.
'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,' the note said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'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.'
The rule will also apply to relay catches. 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.
'Even if the ball is parried – to another fielder or inside the field of play - if the fielder lands outside the boundary, or subsequently steps outside, then a boundary will be scored.
'For clarity, that means the fielder gets one chance, and one chance only, to touch the ball having jumped from outside the boundary. After that point, the boundary becomes a hard line – and any time they touch the ground in that delivery, whatever else happens, they must be inside.'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The revised rule will be enforced starting June 17, when the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in Galle. The change in the laws will officially take effect from October 2026.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

IND vs ENG: Could Rishabh Pant face ICC ban after heated clash over ball change?

Rishabh Pant throws ball in frustration after umpire denies change During a tense moment in England's innings at Headingley, India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant faces potential ICC sanctions after displaying frustration over an umpire's decision regarding a ball change request. The incident unfolded after the penultimate delivery of the 61st over when Mohammed Siraj was hit for four by Harry Brook 's ramp shot over the slips, leading to Pant's animated protest and subsequent actions that could breach multiple ICC Code of Conduct articles. The situation escalated when Pant, dissatisfied with the ball's condition, approached umpire Paul Reiffel for inspection. Despite Reiffel's examination with a ball gauge indicating no issues, Pant persisted in his appeal for a ball change. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Upon the umpire's rejection of his request, Pant reacted by throwing the ball back-handed onto the ground before leaving the scene, prompting boos from the Headingley crowd. Former India coach Ravi Shastri, commenting on the incident, stated: "When you start wanting to change the ball every now and then, it's a clear indication that nothing's happening. We want something to happen. And that was frustration from Pant." IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant opens up on chemistry with Shubman Gill and England challenge Mark Butcher , co-commentator, responded: "I'm not sure there was any need for that. (We) know that he's a showman and part of that is probably in order to get a reaction from the crowd, but I'm not sure Paul Reiffel appreciated it very much." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Pant's actions could potentially violate two specific articles of the ICC Code of Conduct. Article 2.8 addresses dissent at an umpire's decision, which could be classified as either a Level 1 or Level 2 offense, particularly under clause (a) for showing excessive disappointment and clause (h) for engaging in prolonged discussion about the decision. The second possible violation falls under Article 2.9, which specifically prohibits "throwing a ball at or near an umpire in an inappropriate manner." This offense also carries potential Level 1 and Level 2 sanctions. Quiz: Who's that IPL player? The controversy continued to impact the game as the umpires conducted multiple ball checks in the following over. Team members Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah were observed discussing the issue with officials. The match situation at the time showed England at 276-5 in response to India's first-innings total of 471, with Mohammed Siraj managing to dismiss Ben Stokes shortly after the incident. The incident highlights the growing tensions in the match and raises questions about player conduct and its consequences under ICC regulations. The governing body's response to Pant's actions remains to be seen as the match continues to unfold at Headingley. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here

Indian Express

11 hours ago

• Indian Express

Shafali Verma: ‘I have matured as a cricketer and value my wicket more'

Poised to return to Indian scheme of things, former women's prodigy Shafali Verma said the time away from the team after she was dropped has matured her and she will be smarter now and respect bowlers before she explodes, as her talent permits. India's T20 side will start their campaign against English women on June 28. Verma averages a lowly 20 in England, but is scoring upwards of a 150 strike rate in Women's Premier League (WPL) for Delhi Capitals. Talking to Hindustan Times, Verma said, 'At the start, I was carefree and hit every ball I faced. I enjoyed dominating the bowlers, going for big shots. I have matured as a cricketer and value my wicket more. I want to contribute to every game so that my team benefits.' Her renewed approach, she told HT was pragmatic. 'I won't say my style has changed much, but yes, I will be defensive too, and give respect to good bowlers. England has good bowlers like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone. So, I won't just throw my wicket,' she stressed. Her time away from sport had taught her plenty. 'In a sport, there will be ups and downs. I, too, have faced failures and disappointments, but I have learnt from them. Hard work and passion to play for India have kept me going', Verma told HT. For someone who got off to a flyer with her half century record being compared to men's cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Verma had suffered a dip in form and was ommitted from India sides. She has over 1000 T20I runs but this comeback is a crucial second chance for someone who couldn't curb her feisty instincts and paid with her wicket often. Verma credited her Delhi Capitals captain, Meg Laning, for bringing in a revised perspective in her strokeplay. She had spent a few days preparing at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to hone her skills, beforev joining old teammates ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's ODI World Cup in India & Sri Lanka. 'It is a matter of pride that India is hosting. I'm sure India will do well and make use of the home advantage. At the moment, my job is to do well in the T20Is in England. I hope to leave an impression, and then it is left to the selectors,' she told HT. 'Getting to represent your country is a dream come true. I have fought through disappointments and turned them (opportunities) into rewards with hard work. I now look forward to playing big knocks for India and showing my positive intent,' she added.

First Post

12 hours ago

• First Post

Sourav Ganguly reveals why VVS Laxman had stopped talking to him for three months: 'Anybody would get upset'

Former India captain Ganguly, however, added that the decision that angered batting icon Laxman wasn't personal, and the two eventually patched up with passage of time. read more Former India captain Sourav Ganguly revealed VVS Laxman did not speak to him for months after the latter was excluded from India's squad for the 2003 ICC World Cup in South Africa. Batting icon Laxman was a strong favourite to be included in India's squad for the tournament until Ganguly decided otherwise and fought for spin-bowling all-rounder Dinesh Mongia's inclusion in the South Africa-bound squad. Laxman is among a handful of notable Indian cricketers who never got to play in a World Cup. The closest he had come to playing in ICC's quadrennial showpiece event was in 2003, around which time he was a first-choice player in Tests as well as ODIs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ganguly opens up on decision to pick Mongia over Laxman for World Cup And Ganguly revealed Laxman did not speak to him for three months after being informed that he would not be traveling with the rest of the squad to the World Cup. 'It has happened many times when we rested players. They were unhappy. Laxman being left out of the World Cup…he never spoke to me for three months. Then I made up with him. Anybody would get upset…for a World Cup. Especially a player of Laxman's calibre. Quite natural that he would get upset,' Ganguly told PTI. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Kiran More, who was the chief selector at the time, had also revealed in a chat with ex-Pakistan captain Rashid Latif that the selection committee was in favour of including Laxman over Mongia, but captain Ganguly and head coach John Wright had other plans for the mega tournament. Ganguly, however, added that the decision to drop Laxman wasn't personal and spoke highly of the stylish Hyderabadi batter, who scored more than 10,000 international runs including 8,781 in Tests, making a strong comeback into the ODI side later that year. 'After we finished the World Cup, he was happy that we did well. When we came back, he returned to the ODI system. He played an outstanding series in Pakistan and Australia. We won in Pakistan for the first time ever, and VVS was very instrumental. They knew at the back of their mind that it was never personal,' 'Dada' added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ganguly had led India into the final of the 2003 World Cup despite a poor start, on the back of eight consecutive wins. The Men in Blue, however, fell short in the final hurdle, suffering a 125-run defeat at the hands of Ricky Ponting's Australians who won the tournament for the second consecutive time by winning all of their matches.