Recent developments in cricket fielding have led the MCC to revise its rules on boundary catches. These changes are a direct response to the increasingly athletic and, at times, contentious nature of fielding near the boundary. The updated regulations, which will be officially implemented by October 2026, restrict fielders outside the boundary to one contact with the ball in the air before returning to the field to complete the catch. Relay catches are also affected. The new rules state that if the assisting fielder has already crossed the boundary when the catch is completed, the batting side will receive a boundary. These changes are designed to reduce ambiguity and promote more decisive, well-executed fielding plays, ultimately contributing to fairness.
