What is “bunny hop” catch in cricket?
The bunny hop catch was supported by the existing Law 19.5.2, which states that the fielder last contact with the ground before they first touch the ball must be within the boundary and thus the fielder cannot touch the ball and the ground outside the boundary at the same time. If the fielder catch the ball within the said criteria,it will be legal.
A Note send by MCC to ICC regarding “bunny hop” catch
Recently, the The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has called ‘bunny hop’catches on the boundary rope unfair, and also sent a note to ICC earlier this year, calling for a rule change. Thus stunning catches at the edge of the boundary ropes,will not be considered legal once the updated rule comes into force.
It is also stated in the said note of MCC, 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.
One instances of bunny hop catch is the Naser’s catch for Brisbane Heat to dismiss Jordan Silk. The oldest cricket club said the fielder “bunny hopped” before completing the catch inside the boundary. Such act complied with the law at the time,but according to said MCC note to ICC ,it “felt like the fielder had – quite literally – gone too far”.
Hence many such instances triggered debates and thereby prompting the ICC and MCC to review Law 19.5.2, which was last updated in 2010.
The note of MCC further stated ,”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.”Further 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.”
When will new rule enforce?
On June 17,2025 this revised rule will be enforced when the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle begins with Sri Lanka taking on Bangladesh in Galle and the change in the laws will officially take effect from October 2026.
MCC Seeks Ban on ‘Bunny Hop’ Catches with Rule Change Proposal to ICC
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