An investigation has been launched after a cheating storm – fuelled by viral social media video evidence – engulfed English grassroots cricket.
Its focus is Saltburn Cricket Club in North Yorkshire after online footage appeared to show a slip fielder fooling umpires by clicking his fingers to imitate the sound of an edge off the bat. Multiple videos suggest it has been happening for some time.
Footage from Saltburn’s 2nd XI match with Norton Cricket Club in Division Two of the North Yorkshire and South Durham League last weekend showed a ball delivered by Saltburn bowler Sam Morrison passing the bat of Norton batsman Noman Shabir without making contact with it.
At the same time, Saltburn slip fielder – who Daily Mail Sport understands is Brian Devine – seems to click his fingers. When Saltburn wicketkeeper Josh Bowes takes the ball, Saltburn appeal and the umpire gives Shabir out.
Shabir can clearly be seen objecting to his dismissal and seems to indicate to the umpire that he did not hit the ball and that the noise heard was a clicking of fingers instead.
The clip and other similar evidence have attracted international media attention and gone viral online and on social media.
Amateur cricket player Brian Devine has been caught appearing to click his fingers to make it appear that a batter has been caught behind when in fact they haven’t hit the ball at all
Saltburn player has been caught on camera clicking his fingers whenever ball was near bat
Norton batsman Noman Shabir protested that he didn’t touch the ball after being given out
A statement from the North Yorkshire and South Durham League read: ‘The League has received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday 25th July 2026. A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete, no further comment will be made.’
Saltburn won their match with Norton by a mammoth 159 runs.
Devine has been dubbed ‘Clicky Ponting’ – in a light-hearted reference to Australia legend Ricky Ponting. That’s as far as the funny side goes though with the likes of Piers Morgan condemning the actions.
Taking to X, the avid cricket fan wrote: ‘Outrageous cheating, and just the tip of the iceberg from all that’s come out since it was exposed.
‘Clicky Ponting (as he is now known) and various teammates at Saltburn CC, have clearly been at this shameful scam for years. Imagine doing this in local amateur cricket? Pathetic.’
Other clips online appear to show Devine clicking his fingers to cheat umpires and earn dismissals unfairly in other matches.
One such example is a video showing footage of a match between Saltburn and Middlesbrough second XI.
The actions of Saltburn have been described as ‘the worst case of cheating’ seen in cricket online, with it likely that long bans will be handed out. Unconfirmed reports online suggested that Devine has already been suspended for the rest of the season by Saltburn. Daily Mail Sport approached both Saltburn and Norton for comment but did not receive a reply.
Other incidences have been found of Devine clicking his finger in previous matches for wickets
In 13 matches across 2026 with Devine as the slip catcher, Saltburn’s wicket-keeper has taken 39 catches. In seven matches without Devine, the wicket-keeper has taken just five.
In addition to the numerous video clips seemingly showing Devine clicking his fingers online, further suspicion over Saltburn’s antics has been aroused by the scorecards of previous matches.
On July 18, Saltburn’s second XI played Shildon Railway CC with wicketkeeper Bowes taking a mammoth eight catches. Such a number is highly unusual. The record number of dismissals for a wicketkeeper in a Test match innings is seven. Bowes is averaging almost four catches per match in eight games this season. The investigation remains ongoing.
It is the responsibility of the North Yorkshire and South Durham League to investigate any allegations of cheating or complaints over the behaviour of teams as well as imposing any sanctions. As such, it is unlikely that at this stage the England & Wales Cricket Board – as English cricket’s governing body – will get involved directly.
