Cricket club engulfed in unprecedented cheating scandal as shocking 'Clicky Ponting' footage goes viral

The world of club cricket is in a state of shock after bizarre footage showed alleged cheating by members of a fielding team in the second division of the North Yorkshire and South Durham (NYSD) Cricket League.

NYSD officials have launched an investigation into the allegations involving a Saltburn fielder at first slip apparently clicking his fingers to simulate the sound of the ball taking a nick on its way past the batsman to the wicketkeeper, who promptly makes the catch to take a Norton wicket.

"A video which has gone viral on social media appears to show the fielder making the sound with his fingers as the ball passed Norton batter Noman Shabir’s bat, moments before wicketkeeper Josh Bowes completed the catch behind the stumps," reports The Independent.

Shabir was given out and Bowes credited with the dismissal off the bowling of Sam Morrison.

"Shabir was left visibly distraught by the umpire’s decision after being given out as he tried to point out that the sound made as the ball passed the bat came from a nearby fielder, but his protests fell on deaf ears."

The batsman's immediate protest appears to have been backed up by video footage that was shared on social media.

X user Ben Mummery labelled the incident the worst case of cheating he's seen in cricket and suggested that the record of the Saltburn wicketkeeper might warrant further scrutiny.

"The incident occurred during a match where Division Two leaders Saltburn secured a 159-run victory, placing them 17 points clear at the top of the table," continues The Independent.

The ensuing social media discussion was laden with further allegations.

Some cricket fans highlighted the prolific record of more than one Saltburn wicketkeeper, while others dredged up what they alleged to be footage of the same player doing the same thing at a previous club.

It has since emerged that the player at the centre of the incident has been identified as Brian Devine, whose presence in the team has been linked to an uptick in catches by Saltburn's keepers.

"Saltburn won [the Norton] match by 159 runs and currently top the league," reports The Telegraph.

"But the controversy took a further twist when different footage from Saltburn’s previous matches appeared to show the same issue.

"Past scorecards reveal that when Devine plays, Saltburn’s wicketkeeper takes more catches.

"In 13 matches across 2026 with Devine in the side, Saltburn’s keeper has taken 39 catches. In seven matches without Devine, the wicketkeeper has taken five.

"The scorecard from the previous weekend’s match against Shildon Railway CC shows that Saltburn seconds’ wicketkeeper took eight catches, and he appears to be averaging almost four per match in his eight games this season."

In a statement, the NYSD said: "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."