Cricket Law Changed: Airborne Touches Now Illegal
In a groundbreaking decision that is sure to send shockwaves throughout the cricketing community, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)—the guardians of the laws of cricket—has made a major amendment to the Laws of cricket, more specifically Law 19.5.2 to redefine what is legal for a player to do, airborne and near the boundary, in fielding an airborne catch. The new cricket law will completely change how fielding is approached, especially in the limited overs formats where boundary catches can become clutch moments again.
The Michael Neser Incident: A Game-Changer
This decision comes on the heels of a catch that was admittedly controversial, but legal under existing Law 19.5.2, which was executed by Michael Neser during the 2023 Big Bash League (BBL). While fielding for Brisbane Heat, Neser caught a ball being hit for six, reached up above his head and airborne toward the boundary. Instead of simply returning to the field of play and executing the catch like a veteran cricketer so collectedly and routinely does, Neser tossed the ball in mid-air to avoid landing on the boundary. From that moment Neser jumped again to tap the ball back into the playing field and immediately returned to the field to execute the catch.
While there was nothing illegal about whichever option Neser chose to field this catch due to compliance with the laws of cricket (19.5.2) respectively, it invoked such outrage from aggrieved cricket fans and purists who felt it was a breach of the spirit of the game and, therefore, indefensible by the MCC. Although permissible, the incident did prompt the MCC to assess and re-evaluate law 19.5.2.
What the New Law States
Though universal in scope, the amended rule is simple but profound:
- One airborne touch is permitted outside the boundary.
- A fielder must be ground level and inside the boundary to make touches beyond the first.
- Any number of airborne touches outside the boundary, once the fielder is airborne, will automatically be a boundary.
“A fielder who jumps from outside the boundary is limited to one touch of the ball while airborne. For a legal catch to occur, they must be factually in full contact with the ground within the boundary.”
This should mean that the multi-contact aerial relay catches being used more frequently are now not allowed.
Impact on Relay Catches
With regards to aerial relays—which are a very valid tactic in cricket today where a player jumps from outside the boundary and taps the ball back in play for another fielder—we are now in a similar position:
- A fielder must first return to the field of play before even touching the ball again or relaying it to another fielder.
- This restricts many of the brilliant multi-touch saves, even if they may have been legal previously.
Fielders must now also be much more prudent before making an attempt of any sort outside of the boundary rope. It is now simply about clean athleticism, with grounded athleticism, more than juggling around in the air.
Why the Change Was Needed
An internal MCC document provided to ICC boards stated the rule change was made to protect the integrity and fairness of the game. Despite catching being sensational, the MCC acknowledged it led to “strange-looking dismissals that felt unfair to most of the general public”.
The MCC specifically referred to the Neser catch as a legal loophole that was being pushed too far:
“The public’s view of fairness should be closer to the Laws. This change represents a balance between the artistry of fielding and the spirit of fairness”.
What Remains the Same
Although the laws about mid-air contact characters outside the boundary has been changed, the fundamental principle in Law 19.5.2 has not changed:
- Before touching the ball, the fielder must not make his last contact with the ground outside the boundary.
- Grounded catches and first contacts inside field boundaries are still both legal.
When included, this gives the public the protection that catches like Harleen Deol against England, or Alex Hales in BBL 2020 still count – if the last action takes place inside the boundary.
Implementation Timeline
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will start enforcing this new rule on June 17, 2025, with the World Test Championship (WTC) cycle match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle.
However, it will formalize the inclusion into the MCC Laws of Cricket during their next cycle of laws revisions in October 2026, which provides time for players, teams and coaching staff to change training programs.
Implications for Modern Cricket
The rule change is likely to affect coaching techniques, fielding drills and match strategies – especially in T20 and ODI formats where a fielder’s momentum-saving efforts at the boundary often shifts the momentum.
- Fielders will need to concentrate on being more grounded-efficiency than theatrical jumps.
- Teams may look to place more emphasis on agility and anticipation inside the rope.
- Umpires and third umpires will have better guidance when reviewing an airborne catch.
The change is not only going to create a fairer playing field but clarify the judgement of catches and reduce confusion amongst players and supporters alike.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
The decision has generated mixed responses on social media and cricketing forums:
- Old-fashionists have celebrated this as a reversion to the ethical imperatives which govern the game.
- New-age fans and players are upset that they can no longer witness “freakish brilliance” from boundary-line yogis.
Glorious past players, such as Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid, said sport is all about continuity, and now there is consistency and fairness.
“As well as skill, spirit is equally important. This is a big step in achieving both,” said a senior official of the MCC.
Final Thoughts
This cricket law change is more than a minor alteration of a law; it is a cultural reset. It recognizes the growing obligation to balance innovation with integrity as we ensure cricket can maintain not just its competitive spirit, but also a future with fairness and respect.
By prohibiting several airborne touches, the MCC has explicitly declared its serious intention to protect the spirit of cricket in the face of a future where competitive, entertaining cricket will be more dominating.
Cricket is an evolutionary sport. But its soul must be constant- and so, now must its fielder.
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS
CURRENT WORLD CRICKET CHAMPIONS
