London, June 14 (V7N) — The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardian of cricket’s laws, has introduced a new rule regarding boundary catches, aimed at eliminating confusion and controversy surrounding multiple-attempt catches near the boundary line.

According to the updated law, a fielder cannot step outside the boundary at any stage while attempting a catch. If the fielder steps out of bounds after first touching the ball and then completes the catch, it will be declared a boundary, not a dismissal.

The move comes in the wake of a controversial incident during the 2023 Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. In that match, Brisbane Heat’s Michael Neser executed a spectacular, yet contentious, relay catch involving Sydney Sixers’ Jordan Silk. Neser caught the ball inside the boundary, threw it up before stepping out, then re-entered the field of play to complete the catch. While the catch was deemed legal under the old laws, it ignited widespread debate over fairness and the spirit of the game.

Responding to the controversy, the MCC reviewed the law. Under the new rule, each time a fielder touches the ground after coming into contact with the ball, they must be within the boundary. If at any point their foot touches the ground outside the boundary while they are still involved in the act of catching, the attempt will result in a boundary.

The change will also apply to relay catches — involving more than one fielder. If any one of the fielders involved in the catch is outside the boundary while making contact with the ball, the batter will be awarded boundary runs, irrespective of how the catch is completed.

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, the ICC Playing Conditions will incorporate this change by the end of June 2025, while it will be officially included in the MCC’s Laws of Cricket by October 2025.

This decision by the MCC aims to simplify the rule and bring it more in line with general perceptions of fairness in the game. It is expected to prevent further controversies and ensure greater clarity for players, officials, and fans alike.

END/MSS/AJ