Boundary catches with a number of airborne touches outdoors the sector of play shall be deemed unlawful in line with the brand new ruling by the Marylebone Cricket Membership (MCC), set to be built-in into the ICC taking part in circumstances later this month and MCC legal guidelines in October 2026.
Michael Neser’s catch throughout Massive Bash League (BBL) 2023 was taken as reference by ICC’s cricket committee the place the fielder hopped twice within the air to maintain the ball in play earlier than finishing the catch inside the sector of play. Whereas it was deemed authorized as per the present regulation, 19.5.2, however such occasion can be unlawful when the brand new ruling comes into impact.
What the present regulation, 19.5.2, says:
A fielder who just isn’t in touch with the bottom is taken into account to be grounded past the boundary if his remaining contact with the bottom, earlier than his first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not fully throughout the boundary.
As a part of its revision, the MCC has clarified that any fielder making a second contact with the ball after leaping from past the boundary should land inside the sector of play, or else a boundary shall be awarded.
In accordance with a word circulated to member boards by the ICC, “MCC has devised a brand new wording the place the ‘bunny hop’ wholly past the boundary is eliminated, however these catches the place the fielder pushes the ball up from contained in the boundary, steps outdoors after which dives again in to catch the ball, are permitted.”
“Our resolution has been to restrict any fielder who has gone outdoors the boundary to touching the ball whereas airborne solely as soon as, after which, having executed so, to be wholly grounded throughout the boundary for the remainder of the length of that supply.”
The rule may even apply to relay catches. If a fielder fails to return contained in the taking part in discipline from outdoors earlier than the catch is accomplished – even by one other participant – it will likely be referred to as a boundary.
The revised rule shall be enforced beginning June 17, when the brand new World Take a look at Championship (WTC) cycle begins with Sri Lanka taking over Bangladesh.