The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has introduced a significant amendment to the rule concerning catches made near the boundary. Under the revised law, a fielder who is airborne outside the boundary is now allowed to make contact with the ball only once. To complete the catch, they must return to the field of play.
Previously, fielders were permitted to tap or throw the ball multiple times while airborne beyond the boundary, as long as they weren’t grounded outside the field. The rule drew criticism after Michael Neser’s 2023 BBL catch, where he legally tapped the ball mid-air outside the boundary twice before completing the dismissal.
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, this updated regulation will be added to the ICC’s playing conditions later this month and formally adopted into the MCC’s official Laws of Cricket in October 2026.
Outrageous catch from Michael Neser 😱
Allow Glenn Maxwell to explain why it's a legit catch #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/7YORTIUFat
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 1, 2023
Prior to Neser’s catch in the 2023 BBL, Matt Renshaw produced a brilliant piece of fielding during the 2020 edition, helping dismiss Matthew Wade at The Gabba. As he landed beyond the boundary, Renshaw tossed the ball back into play, allowing Tom Banton to complete the catch.
MCC Introduces New Rule For Relay Catches
While individual players have pulled off stunning catches near the boundary in recent years — particularly in T20 cricket — relay catches have also become increasingly common. These involve a fielder catching the ball near the boundary and skillfully deflecting it to a teammate before stepping out of play.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the updated MCC rule will now restrict this tactic. Under the new regulation, if a fielder makes contact with the ball while airborne outside the boundary, they must re-enter the field before the catch is completed by a teammate. If the assisting fielder remains beyond the boundary when the catch is finished, it will be ruled a boundary.
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