'Bunny Hop' Catch Explained: Why MCC Has Now Banned It
Under the new rule, the fielder must complete the entire catch without stepping outside or juggling the ball while airborne outside the field of play.
Catches are pivotal in cricket, often turning the tide of a match — especially those taken at the boundary. However, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a major rule change: the ‘bunny hop’ catch is now illegal.
This decision, aimed at maintaining the spirit and simplicity of the game, will come into effect at the end of this month, and will be formally included in the MCC’s Laws of Cricket in October 2025.
What is a Bunny Hop Catch?
The "bunny hop" is a boundary-catching technique where a fielder tosses the ball into the air while staying just inside the boundary, then steps or jumps outside the field, leaps to tap the ball again mid-air, and finally returns to complete the catch within the boundary.
Under the new rule, this sequence is no longer valid. The fielder must complete the entire catch without stepping outside or juggling the ball while airborne outside the field of play.
Michael Neser’s BBL Catch Sparks Change
To illustrate the update, MCC shared a now-controversial clip of Michael Neser from the 2023 Big Bash League, where he executed a perfect example of the "bunny hop" technique. Neser flicked the ball up near the boundary, stepped out, tapped it again in mid-air, and then returned inside the field to secure the catch. Although the catch was legal under the existing law, it would be disallowed under the new rules.
What Did the Old Law Say?
According to Law 19.5.2:
A fielder’s first contact with the ball must occur while grounded inside the boundary.
The fielder must not touch the ball and the ground beyond the boundary at the same time.
This allowed creative plays like the bunny hop — but under the new interpretation, such juggling will be considered unfair.
What Has Changed?
Under the updated rule:
Fielders must remain inside the boundary for the entire duration of the catch.
Multi-touch catches involving steps or jumps outside the field of play are now illegal.
This decision by the MCC aims to simplify laws, uphold the spirit of fielding, and eliminate controversial interpretations.
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