NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

An amateur cricket match in England has become the focus of a significant controversy following accusations that a fielder used a finger-clicking sound to mislead an umpire. The incident, which has gained widespread attention online and is being referred to as “Clickgate” or “Clicky Ponting,” took place during a North Yorkshire and South Durham (NYSD) Cricket League Division Two match between Saltburn Cricket Club 2nd XI and Norton Cricket Club.

The core of the controversy involves the dismissal of Norton batter Noman Shabir. As the bowler delivered the ball, it passed near Shabir’s bat without appearing to make contact. At that moment, a Saltburn fielder at first slip allegedly clicked his fingers, producing a sharp sound similar to a ball edging the bat. The wicketkeeper then caught the ball, Saltburn’s players appealed, and the umpire, believing he heard an edge, gave the batter out. Shabir disputed the decision, stating he did not hit the ball, but the umpire maintained his verdict.

A video of the incident quickly circulated on social media, with many viewers suggesting the finger click was a deliberate attempt to deceive the umpire. Saltburn won the match by 159 runs and currently leads Division Two.

Wider Allegations and Investigation

The controversy extended beyond the initial viral video. Following the incident, cricket enthusiasts began examining Saltburn’s past statistics and matches. A notable statistic was wicketkeeper Josh Bowes’ record of 31 catches in just eight matches, including eight catches in a single innings against Shildon Railway. This figure is unusual, especially when compared to the world record for catches by a wicketkeeper in a men’s Test innings, which stands at seven, although the statistic alone does not confirm wrongdoing.

Subsequently, Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough Second XI, claimed his team experienced two similar finger-clicking incidents during a previous defeat to Saltburn earlier in the season. Another video from a separate match against Wolviston FC has also surfaced online, showing a batter being dismissed under comparable circumstances, intensifying the scrutiny on the club.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has confirmed receiving a formal complaint and has initiated an investigation. In a statement, the league indicated that a full investigation is underway, and no further comments will be made until the formal processes are complete. The league noted the formal complaint concerned alleged incidents in a Division Two game on a Saturday.

Online Reaction and Historical Context

The unusual incident has garnered international attention. The original video has been viewed millions of times on X (formerly Twitter), prompting widespread debate among cricket fans regarding the legitimacy of the dismissal. Ben Mummery, who posted the video, described it as “about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket” and expressed satisfaction that the issue was being exposed.

The “Clickgate” incident is not the first alleged cheating scandal in cricket. One prominent example is “Sandpapergate” during a 2018 Test match between Australia and South Africa, where Australia’s Cameron Bancroft was seen attempting to alter the ball with sandpaper. Additionally, former England Test cricketer Marcus Trescothick mentioned in his autobiography using Murray Mints during games in 2005 to enhance the ball’s shine, a practice interpreted by some as ball-tampering.

The allegations against Saltburn have sparked outrage among club cricketers and supporters, with discussions ranging from potential player suspensions to points deductions and relegation. However, no player or club has been found guilty of wrongdoing, and any disciplinary actions will depend on the findings of the league’s investigation.

Saltburn currently sits at the top of Division Two by 18 points.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com