Investigation launched into alleged finger-clicking incident
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has initiated a full investigation following accusations of alleged cheating against an amateur player. The accusations stem from a Division Two match between Saltburn 2nd XI and Norton 2nd XI on Saturday, 25 July 2026. Footage circulating on social media appears to show a fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes a batter, allegedly to mimic the sound of an edge and deceive the umpire into awarding a wicket.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video was posted online, quickly accumulating millions of views. The clip shows Saltburn’s wicketkeeper catching the ball behind the stumps, followed by an appeal from the team. The umpire subsequently gave the batter out, despite the batter appearing bemused and protesting the decision.
The league confirmed that a formal complaint has been received regarding the alleged incidents. A statement from the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League indicated that a full investigation is underway, and no further comments will be made until the formal processes are complete.
Previous allegations and wider context
The incident has been dubbed “Clicky Ponting” online, a reference to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and has sparked considerable debate within the cricket community. Ben Mummery, who originally posted the video, described it as “about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket” and expressed satisfaction that the issue was being exposed. He also noted that Saltburn’s wicketkeeper reportedly has a significant number of catches this season.
The viral footage has prompted amateur internet users to review previous Saltburn scorecards. Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough CC’s 2nd XI, claimed that a similar situation occurred during a match against Saltburn in June, which his team lost by 29 runs. He shared a video that allegedly shows the same player clicking his fingers, with commenters describing the act as scandalous.
This alleged incident is not the first time cricket has faced cheating allegations. One notable case, known as “Sandpapergate,” involved Australia’s Cameron Bancroft attempting to rough up a side of the ball with sandpaper during a 2018 test match against South Africa. Another instance involved former England test cricketer Marcus Trescothick, who detailed in his autobiography how he used Murray Mints in 2005 to help retain the shine on balls, a practice interpreted by some as ball-tampering. Maintaining one side of the ball shinier than the other can enhance its swing, making it more challenging for batters.
League standing and team performance
Saltburn currently holds the top position in the Division Two league table. The team secured a victory in the match where the alleged incident occurred, winning by 159 runs. They lead the division by 17 points. The club has been approached for comment regarding the ongoing investigation.
The team’s wicketkeeper is also noted for leading the league in fielding dismissals, with a total of 34, of which 31 were catches behind the stumps. Earlier in July, Saltburn achieved a 22-run victory against Shildon Railway Cricket Club, a match in which their wicketkeeper recorded eight catches.
The league has stated that it will not make any further comments until the formal investigation processes are complete.
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Source: theguardian.com
