Saltburn Cricket Club have suspended a player accused of cheating in an incident that has gone viral, dubbed 'Clicky Ponting'. The club said the player will not play again for the foreseeable future and have conceded a second-team cup fixture.
Incident and Allegations
The controversy stems from a Division Two match in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League on Monday, where Saltburn's second XI faced Norton. A video shows a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes the bat of Norton batter Noman Shabir, before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes. The umpire gave Shabir out, but the footage sparked accusations of cheating.
The video has amassed over 7.5 million views on X, with several celebrities condemning the behaviour. The incident has been widely compared to the 'Clicky Ponting' nickname, referencing Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting.
Club Response
Saltburn, who lead the league table by 17 points, issued a statement on social media. They said: "We are treating this allegation with the utmost seriousness and, as a family-centric club, we are fully cooperating with the NYS League's investigation."
The club added: "The player at the centre of the complaint has been suspended and will not play again for the club this season or in the foreseeable future, pending the outcome of this investigation." Saltburn also announced they have conceded their second-team cup fixture against Marton on Wednesday.
Impact and Reactions
The club described the situation as "very distressing and stressful for all those concerned" and asked for personal boundaries to be respected, noting they are an amateur club run by volunteers. The league's investigation is ongoing, and Saltburn said initial discussions have already taken place between club officials and the league.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with many calling for strict action against unsportsmanlike conduct in amateur cricket.
