The ICC is preparing to enforce a revised rule that prohibits boundary catches involving mid-air hops outside the field.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is making headlines as the ICC set to revise boundary catch rules. This update comes after controversial fielding displays in the Big Bash League (BBL), where players executed airborne catches near the boundary line that sparked widespread debate.
These types of catches, performed by players like Michael Neser, Tom Banton, and Matt Renshaw, involved catching the ball mid-air and passing it back into play while beyond the boundary. During the 2023 Big Bash League, Neser made headlines with a boundary catch where he grabbed the ball, threw it mid-air while leaping, stepped beyond the boundary, then jumped again to tap it back in before finishing the catch within the field.
The ICC has now decided to put an end to such sequences. Under the new rule set to be implemented this month, an airborne fielder may only touch the ball once while outside the boundary. They must also return to the field before completing a valid catch. This aims to eliminate the ‘bunny hop’ tactic seen in recent tournaments.
MCC, which governs the official Laws of Cricket, plans to adopt this change by October 2026. The decision follows an ICC Cricket Committee recommendation. In a note shared with ICC member boards, MCC admitted the old rule, while exciting, resulted in catches that “felt unfair” to most fans. The update ensures catches reflect the spirit of the game.
ایک ICC set to revise boundary rule as part of broader efforts to modernize and simplify cricket’s gameplay. It’s expected that this change will not only standardize catch procedures but also reduce confusion in tight match scenarios.
For more context on ICC rule changes, check out this outbound report by ESPNcricinfo.
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