The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League havms launched a formal investigation after a viral video appeared to show a fielder clicking his fingers to help win a wicket during a second XI Division 2 match between Saltburn and Norton.
The footage, which has been viewed more than five million times on X, appears to show a Saltburn fielder snapping his fingers as the ball passes Norton batter Noman Shabir’s bat, moments before it is caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. Saltburn appeals and the umpire gives Shabir out. The clicking has been widely interpreted as an attempt to trick the umpire into believing the ball had edged the bat.
Saltburn went on to win the match by 159 runs and move 17 points clear at the top of Division 2.
The league confirmed it had received a complaint and opened proceedings. “The league has received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday,” it said in a statement on X. “A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”
The controversy has drawn attention well beyond local cricket circles, with publications in Australia and New Zealand among those covering the incident.
According to reports, a meeting between Saltburn, the league and legal representatives is due to take place on Tuesday night. Norton have declined to comment.
Scrutiny has also turned to Bowes’ recent form behind the stumps. Last week, he took eight catches in Saltburn’s 22-run win over Shildon Railway, surpassing the men’s Test record of seven catches by a wicketkeeper in a single innings. He currently leads the league standings with 31 catches, 10 more than any other player.
Further allegations have since surfaced from an earlier fixture. Rory Cotterill, who captained Middlesbrough’s second XI during a 29-run defeat by Saltburn last month, responded to the viral video by claiming two additional incidents of cheating took place during that match.
