5 new fielding techniques that have developed in the recent past

Boundary Catching

Kieron Pollard is an excellent fielder at the ropes.

Small boundaries and broad bats have made even mis-hits travel all the way over the fence. With even small margins playing a crucial part in T20s, those stationed at the boundaries have become more alert to save anything and everything that comes their way.

This has resulted in a new form of catching, where the fielder first jumps and lobs the ball up, goes past the ropes, and comes back in play, just in time to retrieve the ball and complete the catch.

Shane Watson and David Wiese combined to take a brilliant catch in the IPL this year.

Combination efforts are becoming more popular these days, with fielders now extending the idea to implement relay catching on the ropes. When an aerial shot is on the verge of crossing the boundary, one of the fielders times his jump to hold the ball and parry it back, while in mid-air, towards the secondary fielder, who backs up and completes the catch while being inside the ropes.