In a controversial incident, village cricket has been embroiled in a cheating scandal as a fielder is alleged to have used a finger-clicking tactic to deceive during a match. Video evidence suggests a slip fielder from Saltburn 2nd XI snapped his fingers just before a catch was taken by the wicketkeeper, leaving the batter perplexed by the decision. Following the circulation of the clip, accusations arose that the fielder tricked the umpire into believing the ball had been edged.
The incident, now referred to as “Click-gate,” gained widespread attention after Ben Mummery shared the footage on social media, calling for severe repercussions. The match took place in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League (NYSDL) between Saltburn 2nd XI and Norton 2nd XI, with Saltburn emerging victorious by a significant 159-run margin.
In a related development, Rory Cotterill, who led Middlesbrough CC’s 2nd XI in a match against Saltburn, claimed a similar occurrence in their game, sharing a video online allegedly showing the same player engaging in the finger-clicking behavior. The NYSDL confirmed receiving a formal complaint concerning the recent game, stating that a thorough investigation is underway before further comments will be provided.
Saltburn CC has been contacted for a response regarding the incident.
