A cricketer from Saltburn Cricket Club has been suspended following accusations of cheating, which have been dubbed the ‘Clicky Ponting’ scandal. The suspension comes as the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League launched a full investigation into alleged incidents during a recent match. The club also conceded its upcoming fixture.
The controversy stems from footage that circulated widely on social media, showing a player allegedly clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of a ball hitting the bat’s edge. This action, it is claimed, was intended to deceive the umpire into giving a wicket. The video, which captured an incident in a Division Two match between Saltburn 2nd XI and Norton 2nd XI on Saturday, has garnered significant attention, with reports indicating it neared five million views by Tuesday lunchtime.
In the clip, a fielder, positioned at slip, appears to click his fingers as the ball passes the batter. Subsequently, Saltburn‘s wicketkeeper catches the ball behind the stumps, and the team appeals. The umpire then gives the batter out, who can be seen protesting the decision while Saltburn players celebrate.
Investigation and Club Response
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League confirmed it received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents from the game on Saturday, 25 July 2026. A full investigation has been initiated, and the league stated that no further comment would be made until the formal processes are complete.
Saltburn Cricket Club addressed the allegations through a statement on its social media channels, confirming the suspension of the player at the centre of the complaint. The club stated that the player would not play again for the club this season or in the foreseeable future, pending the outcome of the investigation. The club emphasised its commitment to cooperating fully with the league’s inquiry, describing itself as a “family-centric club” and asserting that it acted decisively once the complaint was known.
The player involved declined to comment when contacted, stating he could not discuss the matter while at work. The incident has led to widespread discussion within the cricketing community, with some, like England and Somerset‘s Tom Banton, acknowledging the ‘clever’ nature of the act but deeming it unacceptable within the rules of cricket.
Broader Implications and Past Allegations
The ‘Clicky Ponting’ nickname is a reference to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting and draws parallels to other cheating scandals in cricket history, such as ‘Sandpapergate’. That infamous incident occurred during a 2018 Test match between Australia and South Africa, where Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the ball with sandpaper.
The current allegations against Saltburn have also prompted further claims. Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough CC’s 2nd XI, alleged that similar incidents occurred during a match between his side and Saltburn in June. He shared a video purportedly showing the same player clicking his fingers, with commenters describing it as scandalous.
Ben Mummery, who initially posted the viral video, expressed satisfaction that the footage had gained traction, stating it was “about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket.” He also noted that Saltburn‘s wicketkeeper reportedly has a high number of catches this season. Saltburn currently leads Division Two by 17 points, having won 10 of their 15 matches this season. Their wicketkeeper also leads the league in fielding dismissals, with 34, including 31 catches behind the stumps.
The club’s decision to concede its match against Marton Cricket Club on Wednesday highlights the immediate impact of the ongoing investigation.
Source: theguardian.com