A cricket team from North Yorkshire is currently under investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League after accusations of cheating surfaced. The allegations involve a player who reportedly clicked his fingers to imitate the sound of a ball hitting the bat, potentially misleading umpires into awarding wickets.
The controversy stems from a Division Two match played on Saturday, 25 July 2026, between Saltburn 2nd XI and Norton 2nd XI. Footage from the game, which has been widely shared on social media, shows a fielder appearing to click his fingers as the ball passes a batter. This action is alleged to have been an attempt to trick the umpire into believing the ball had clipped the edge of the bat before being caught by the wicketkeeper.
The video, which has garnered significant attention online, shows the batter protesting to the umpire while Saltburn players celebrate. One social media user, Ben Mummery, who posted the video, described it as a severe instance of cheating in cricket. He also noted that Saltburn‘s wicketkeeper has recorded a high number of catches this season.
League initiates formal investigation
In response to the viral footage and a formal complaint, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has launched a full investigation. A statement from the league confirmed the receipt of a complaint regarding alleged incidents during the Division Two game on Saturday. The league indicated that no further comments would be made until the formal processes are concluded.
The incident has been dubbed “Clicky Ponting” online, a reference to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, and has sparked debate within the cricket community. The footage has been viewed millions of times, with some users examining previous Saltburn scorecards.
Saltburn currently holds the top position in the Division Two league table. The team’s wicketkeeper also leads the league in fielding dismissals, with 34, including 31 catches behind the stumps. Earlier in July, in a match against Shildon Railway Cricket Club, Saltburn‘s wicketkeeper took eight catches.
Previous allegations and wider context
This is not the first time such allegations have been made against Saltburn. Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough CC‘s 2nd XI, claimed similar incidents occurred during a match against Saltburn in June. He shared a video purportedly showing the same player clicking his fingers, which commenters described as scandalous.
The alleged cheating has drawn comparisons to other notable incidents in cricket history. One such event is the Sandpapergate scandal in 2018, where Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the ball with sandpaper during a test match between Australia and South Africa.
Another instance involved former England test cricketer Marcus Trescothick, who detailed in his autobiography how he consumed Murray Mints during games in 2005 to enhance his saliva’s ability to maintain the ball’s shine. He explained that certain sweets were known in county cricket to produce saliva that, when applied to the ball, helped preserve its shine and therefore its swing, making it more challenging for batters.
The current investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League is ongoing, with authorities stating they are taking the matter seriously. Saltburn won the game in question by 159 runs and leads Division Two by 17 points.
Source: theguardian.com
Leo Ashworth is a Sports News Writer at Latest News UK. He cut his teeth on regional sport before specialising in fast breaking-news writing. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Newcastle, he follows the European Tour and boxes at an amateur gym. “Get it right first, then tell readers why it matters.”