In a major move, the MCC has chosen to amend its legislation on boundary catches and outlaw the "bunny hop." Later this month, the new regulation will go into effect, making such amazing catches illegal.

This month, the revised legislation will be incorporated into the ICC's playing conditions, and in October 2026, it will be incorporated into the MCC's laws. According to the latest legislation, a fielder who is in the air and able to touch the ball once beyond the boundary must also return inside the field for the catch to be deemed fair.

The 'bunny hop' catch is now against the law.

Michael Neser's 'bunny hop' catch, in which he palmed the ball up while in the air just outside the boundary and then landed outside, will no longer be deemed legal. Neser's catch occurred during BBL 2023, when he caught the ball with both hands, but his momentum carried him over the ropes. He threw the ball up, first when it was in the air and landing outside the ropes, and then leapt again, palming the ball back to the fielder with both feet in the air. He then jumped back onto the field to finish the catch. The batter was declared out and was extremely irritated.

At the same time, Neser disclosed that he was motivated by teammate Matt Renshaw's attempt to catch Matthew Wade in 2020.

The current Law 19.5.2 states that the fielder's final contact with the ground before they first touch the ball must be inside the boundary (this portion of the legislation will be retained in the new revision). The fielder is prohibited from making contact with both the ball and the area outside the boundary at once. It is legal if he or she fulfills those requirements as well as the catch.

Additionally, earlier this year, the MCC supposedly sent a message to the ICC, in which it referred to Neser's catch as "bunny hopped" and advocated for a rule modification because certain tries were unjust.

The MCC has also announced, "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."

"Our answer is to restrict any fielder who has gone outside the boundary to only one touch of the ball while in the air, and then, after doing so, to be completely grounded within the boundary for the remainder of that delivery."

When the ICC's next set of amendments takes effect in October 2026, the legislation will be in force.

The revised legislation will be incorporated into the ICC playing conditions for the upcoming WTC cycle, which begins on June 17. The new round of modifications will begin in October 2026.

Read Also: Aaron Rodgers Hints at Retirement—Should the Steelers Be Concerned?
Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!