A local cricket match in England has sparked a cheating investigation after one of the fielders was accused of making a clicking sound with his fingers to trick the umpire into thinking the batter had edged the ball.
The incident happened during a second XI match between Saltburn CC and Norton CC last week. Following the incident, videos emerged on social media that appeared to show a slip fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat, while the wicketkeeper and fielders appealed for a caught behind.
The batter was given out despite replays suggesting the bat did not touch the ball.
The clips have gone viral, with the field nicknamed ‘Clicky Ponting’ by social media users.
A user named Ben Mummery shared a video on X, describing it as the ‘worst case of cheating’ he had ever seen in cricket.
More videos and scorecards from past matches have since been shared online, leading to claims that similar dismissals may have happened here.
In Saltburn’s previous match, the wicketkeeper took eight catches, which are more than the record of seven catches by a keeper in a Test innings. Another opposition captain also shared footage, claiming his team experienced similar incidents earlier this season.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League said it had received a formal complaint and had launched a full investigation.
“The League have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday. A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made,” the league said in a statment.