Saltburn suspend fielder accused in 'Clicky Ponting' incident

Saltburn Cricket Club have suspended the player at the centre of a cheating allegation and said he "Will not play again in foreseeable future". The club also conceded Wednesday’s second-team cup fixture after footage related to the case circulated online.

The club said it was treating the accusations of misconduct very seriously and moved quickly to remove the player from selection while the matter is addressed. A Saltburn fielder has been accused of "clicking his fingers to get a catch behind" and clips of several episodes subsequently spread across social media. The initial video that prompted the outcry was posted on Monday evening and came from Saltburn’s second XI victory over Norton.

That first clip was recorded during a Division Two match in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League and captured a moment involving Norton batter Noman Shabir. It shows the Saltburn fielder making a finger-clicking motion as the ball passed Shabir’s bat, after which the ball was taken by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes and the umpire gave the batter out.

Footage of several incidents later went viral on social platforms, prompting swift attention from the club and local cricket authorities. Saltburn’s announcement confirmed the suspension and indicated the player would not be available for selection while the club considered the allegations. The decision also led to the club conceding Wednesday’s second-team cup fixture.

Saltburn have framed their response as a precautionary measure while they examine the material and the circumstances captured on film. The club’s actions — both the suspension and the conceded fixture — came in the immediate aftermath of the videos circulating online and the public reaction they generated. No additional details about the identity of the suspended player or the outcome of any internal review have been released by the club.

The sequence recorded in the Norton match, involving Noman Shabir, wicketkeeper Josh Bowes and an on-field umpire decision, remains the central piece of evidence cited in public commentary. Saltburn’s statement that the player "Will not play again in foreseeable future" underlines the club’s current position while the episode is investigated. The viral nature of the footage has ensured the case remains under scrutiny from supporters and officials alike.