What is the Bunny Hop Catch, and why do ICC & MCC deem it illegal?

 

 

Cricket has always had one eye on tradition, but on occasion, the chief committee of the game steps in to update the laws for the greater good. In a radical decision, the ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) are now rewriting the rulebook regarding airborne catches in close proximity to the boundary. The decision will impact the contentious prospect of ‘bunny hops’ by fielders to produce eye-popping dismissals near the ropes.

Well, this decision may not sit well with many who like thrillers of aerial fitness in the fielding. But the moment is crucial in the evolution of the sport and also for Starexchange users, given that a prediction is set every moment of the game.

 

What is the Bunny Hop Catch?

Many of the cricket fans have watched the Bunny hop catch, but most of them are not aware of what it actually is. So, to answer the question “What is the Bunny Hop Catch?, let’s go forward. The controversial “bunny hop” procedure lets the fielder jump from somewhere inside the field, tap the ball in the air, pass outside the boundary rope, and re-enter the field to complete the catch. The catch was considered fair under Law 19.5.2 of cricket as long as his last deliberate contact with the ground before the ball was made was within the boundary line, and he did not touch ground out of the field while still in contact with the ball.

Some iconic moments followed: Harleen Deol’s brilliant catching effort in England in 2021, or Alex Hales’ boundary catch in the Big Bash League in 2020. These iconic moments went viral across social media and, in many ways, changed the fans’ interpretation of the art called fielding.

But the MCC thinks they have crossed the line, quite literally and figuratively.

 

What Else Will Change Related to the Law?

As per the MCC, while Law 19.5.2 will stay partly intact (namely with respect to the fielder’s last ground contact before touching the ball still being inside the boundary), the new decree will remove any instances whereby the catch involved a complete airborne sequence outside the boundary before regrounding. 

Supposedly, the ‘bunny hop’ maneuver has been outlawed now.

The MCC further explained that these catches, although within the laws, appeared unfair. Thus, they are already amending the laws and their own interpretation to strike a fair balance: fielders may still perform athletic saves and catches near the boundary but must come back onto to ground after going beyond the ropes before they can catch the ball again.

 

Here is the new standard:

Once a fielder goes beyond the boundary, he can touch the ball once while airborne. After that, he must cause the ball to touch the ground completely inside the playing surface before also causing it to touch the ground again in the same play. So, you now have the answer to the question, “What is the Bunny Hop Catch?”

 

Why the Change Now? 

The MCC raised its concern earlier this year with the International Cricket Council, stating that the prior interpretation of Law 19.5.2, although legal, seemed to give an unrealistic advantage to fielders. The newly amended law will be put into effect later this month and will affect all formats of the game.

For fans and Starexchange users, this matter is more than just a rule modification since it can affect real-time fielding predictions and live match outcomes. Notably, in close finishes, had that catch been ruled out according to the new law, it would have turned the game around totally. 

 

What It Means for You on Starexchange

At Starexchange, where you would be getting live insights and smart predictions, keeping up with such upcoming rule changes can give you an edge. Be it describing fielding performances, prediction of dismissals, or estimating final scores based upon possible breakthroughs, the comprehension of the limitations of the boundary fielders becomes substantial.

This change will also highlight different athleticism more down-to-earth again — players already celebrated for their quick inside-the-rope reflexes, such as Ravindra Jadeja, Glenn Maxwell, and Ben Stokes, may become even more prized Fielding Prediction assets.

Now, how would this help you? With Starexchange, the best cricket prediction app, gain winning intelligence with every stat, rule, and moment, keeping you a step ahead to win exciting real cash prizes. 

 

Final Thoughts

True evolution in the game of cricket requires an evolution in your game sense. The MCC’s new boundary law update- even the finest margins matter. Whether you are watching your favorite team or using Starexchange for high-quality predictions, staying updated on these changes will always help you stay ahead of the competition. If you liked the answer to the question, “What is the Bunny Hop Catch?”, please comment down below.

 

Fielding has become a very different ball game now; it is no longer about flair but more about understanding the rules. With Starexchange, you’re always a step ahead!

 

FAQs

Q1. What exactly is the ‘bunny hop’ in cricket?

A: It is a method where a fielder leaps from inside the boundary, taps the ball in the air while beyond the rope, and re-enters the field to complete the catch.

Q2.The reason for the MCC to ban the bunny hop catch?

A: The reason is that, in the opinion of the MCC, it is an unnatural advantage for fielders to somehow, with their in-air manipulation, go out without grounding inside the field of play.

Q3. For past catches, does the bunny hop catch law change affect them?

A: No, the change isn’t retroactive; past catches, these from Harleen Deol or Alex Hales, were legal and will remain in the record books.

Q4. How does the bunny hop catch law affect prediction apps like Starexchange?

A: The law directly gives way to the fielding outcomes that could shift the entire momentum of matches. Being in the know here helps the users sharpen their live prediction game using Starexchange, the best cricket prediction app.