Saltburn Cricket Club, a local institution celebrating its 150th anniversary last year, is now embroiled in a cheating scandal that has garnered international attention. The controversy erupted following an incident during a Division Two match in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, where a Saltburn player allegedly signaled a catch that did not occur.
Footage from the match shows Noman Shabir, a batsman for Norton Cricket Club, appearing to miss a delivery from Saltburn's Sam Morrison. As the ball passed Shabir, a fielder at first slip, identified as Brian Devine, is seen clicking his fingers. This sound was apparently mimicked to deceive the umpire into believing the batsman had edged the ball, leading to Shabir being given out caught. Despite the batsman's protests, the umpire upheld the decision. Saltburn went on to win the match by 159 runs.
The incident might have gone unnoticed had the game not been live-streamed on the English Cricket Board's 'Play Cricket' website. A clip of the alleged deception was posted to X by amateur cricketer Ben Mummery, who described it as "about the worst case of cheating I have ever seen in cricket." The video quickly went viral, accumulating millions of views.
Following the widespread attention, viewers began scrutinizing archived footage and discovered numerous similar incidents involving the same player, Brian Devine. Videos suggest Devine, an opening batsman for Saltburn, has repeatedly used the finger-clicking tactic to feign dismissals. Rory Cotterill, captain of Middlesbrough CC's second XI, stated that his team had experienced two similar incidents in a single game against Saltburn on June 27, resulting in young players being "cheated out of an innings."
Piers Morgan, a public figure, also commented on the situation, labeling the club's actions "outrageous cheating" and a "shameful scam." Devine has since been dubbed "Clicky Ponting" on social media, a reference to former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham League has launched a formal investigation into the alleged incidents. A league statement indicated that a full investigation has been initiated, and no further comment will be made until its completion. Potential disciplinary actions could range from expelling Saltburn from the league to issuing lifetime bans or suspensions for individual players.
Brian Devine, a businessman who has played over 480 matches in his amateur career, has reportedly been suspended by the club. When contacted, Devine declined to comment, stating he was at work. He has also reportedly been dropped by his sponsor, local Indian restaurant Spices, whose proprietor expressed shock and disappointment.
Statistical analysis of Devine's matches this season has raised further questions. In 13 matches where Devine played, wicketkeepers reportedly took 39 catches, compared to just five in the seven matches he did not participate in. In one game, wicketkeeper Josh Bowes claimed eight catches, a figure that exceeds the record for a single men's Test innings. Bowes has been the primary beneficiary of the alleged tactic, taking 31 catches this season, significantly more than other league keepers. His catch numbers have dramatically increased in seasons where Devine has been a more frequent player.
The league's investigation will likely seek to determine the extent of the scam and identify any other individuals involved. The integrity of the club's WhatsApp group, used for team discussions, may also be scrutinized.
This scandal adds to cricket's long history of rule-bending and rule changes. Notable historical instances include the 'Bodyline' Ashes series of 1932, Trevor Chappell's underarm bowling incident in 1981, and the 2018 ball-tampering scandal involving Australian players Steve Smith and David Warner.