Cricket Just Changed | New Law On Boundary Catches: All You Need to Know

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The change will take effect in international cricket from 17 June 2025, and will be officially added to the MCC Laws from October 2026.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)—the official body that writes the rules of cricket—has changed the law related to boundary catches. This new rule, which amends Law 19.5.2, aims to end confusion and stop what many fans called unfair fielding tricks near the boundary line.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court Slams MP Govt, Quashes IAS Review of IFS Officers as “Contemptuous”

The change will take effect in international cricket from 17 June 2025, and will be officially added to the MCC Laws from October 2026.

Over the years, there have been many jaw-dropping catches near the boundary involving multiple jumps or what are now being called “bunny hops” outside the rope. Even though these catches followed the existing rules, many fans and experts questioned their fairness.

Examples include Michael Neser’s boundary catch in BBL 2023 and a 2020 relay catch involving Tom Banton and Matt Renshaw. These catches went viral, but also raised concerns. A lot of people felt that although the efforts were legal, they seemed against the “spirit of the game.”

The MCC finally responded, saying the new rule would stop such airborne tricks.

ALSO READ: Allahabad High Court: Right to Change Name is a Fundamental Right

What the Old Rule Said (Law 19.5.2)

The earlier version of the law stated:

“A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball, was not entirely within the boundary.”

This meant:

• A fielder could jump from inside the field, go airborne outside, tap the ball back in—even multiple times.
• Players could relay the ball mid-air to other fielders who were also airborne outside the boundary.

Now, that has changed.

What Has Changed in Law 19.5.2?

The new law brings a stricter interpretation. Now, every fielder involved in catching or tapping the ball near the boundary has to meet the same condition: They must have been in contact with the ground inside the boundary before touching the ball.

So, in relay catches, all fielders—not just the first one—must be properly grounded inside the rope before playing the ball.

Sub-Clause 19.5.2.1 – One Touch Rule for Airborne Fielders

This rule now allows a fielder to:

• Jump from outside the boundary and touch the ball once while in the air.

But from that point onwards:

• The fielder must land inside the field.
• If the fielder lands or steps outside the boundary at any time after that, it will be called a boundary, even if they’ve already completed the catch or throw.

So now, only one chance is given to touch the ball from outside. After that, all movement must be inside the field.

Sub-Clause 19.5.2.2 – Rules for Relay Catches

If a fielder jumps from outside and taps or throws the ball back into the field:

• They must land inside the boundary and stay inside until the ball is declared dead.
• If they step out again during the same delivery, it will be called a boundary, no matter what happens to the ball.

ALSO READ: “Notaries Must Desist from Executing Marriage or Divorce Deeds, It’s Against the Law”: Ministry of Law & Justice

The MCC has released an official explanation about the change:

“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,” a note said.

They also added:

“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.”

And finally:

“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.”

From June 2025, cricket will follow a new rule where fielders are allowed only one airborne contact with the ball from outside the boundary. After that, they must remain inside the field till the end of that play.

When ICC Rules Can be Challenged in Indian Courts

ICC (International Cricket Council) rules and laws can be challenged in Indian courts, but only under specific legal grounds. Here’s a breakdown of how and when that might happen:

• The ICC is a private international body, not a government organization.
• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the ICC’s Indian member and controls cricket in India.
• The BCCI itself, while a private body, has been held to be subject to constitutional scrutiny (as per the Supreme Court’s ruling in BCCI v. Cricket Association of Bihar, 2016).

1. Direct Challenges to the ICC:
   ICC is based in Dubai and is not a domestic entity under Indian jurisdiction. So challenging the ICC directly in Indian courts is very limited, unless it has operations, contracts, or legal ties within India.
2. Indirect Challenges via BCCI:
   Since the BCCI implements ICC rules in India, individuals can challenge the application of ICC rules by the BCCI if:
   • They violate constitutional rights (e.g., Article 14 – Equality before law).
   • They contradict Indian public policy or laws.
   • They are unfair, discriminatory, or arbitrary (especially in selection, discipline, or treatment of players).
3. Example Scenarios Where ICC Rules Could Be Challenged:
   • A cricketer alleges that a doping ban under ICC rules violates natural justice or Indian labor laws.
   • An Indian entity contests ICC revenue-sharing mechanisms as discriminatory when implemented by BCCI.
   • Conflict with Indian law, e.g., if an ICC anti-corruption procedure clashes with Indian criminal procedure.

Challenges would typically be filed as:

• Writ petitions under Article 226 (High Courts) or Article 32 (Supreme Court) of the Indian Constitution.
• Civil suits for contract disputes or torts.

Conclusion:

• You cannot directly challenge the ICC in most cases, as it’s a foreign private body.
• You can challenge the BCCI or Indian entities implementing ICC rules, especially if they infringe legal or constitutional rights in India.

FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE