North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League investigate alleged 'clicking fingers cheating'
THE North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League is investigating allegations of cheating after a Saltburn fielder was accused of clicking his fingers to get a caught-behind wicket.
A video on social media, which has gone viral, appears to show the fielder click his fingers as the ball passes Norton batter Noman Shabir’s bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes.
Shabir is clearly seen protesting to the umpire after being given out and the footage has sparked worldwide coverage of the incident. Division Two leaders Saltburn won the match by 159 runs and sit 17 points clear at the top of the table.
The NYSD League said in a statement posted on X: “The league have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday.
“A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.”
In response to a post on social media showing the video, Middlesbrough’s second XI captain Rory Cotterill has claimed there were two more incidents of cheating in his side’s 29-run defeat to Saltburn last month.
The video footage has been met with global condemnation, with the incident making headlines in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA among other countries.
The NYSD League and Saltburn have been contacted for comment, while Norton have refused to comment.
Elsewhere, Cawthorne will meet York inSent in, York’s innings was built around three of their top four – opener Simon Lambert (32) and Breidyn Schaper (62), who added 54 for the third wicket with Luke Kilby (24). James Finch (4-39) and Ryan Thompson (2-28) led the way with ball for Grange.
Facing a total of 195-8, Chris Bilton (37) added 42 with Harry Gamble (63), who also had a stand of 88 with captain Luke Goddard (39) but they fell just short.
Driffield, sent in, were again thankful for Alec Drury, who scored 70 from just 53 balls. Archie Greaves (4-32) and Kabir Kohli (3-22) helped restrict Town to 209, and opener George Booth (75) and Kade Fletcher (run-a-ball 56no) then put on 64 for Cawthorne’s fifth wicket, Mustafa Shinwari (17no) helping the hosts over the line.
Meanwhile, New Farnley have completed the semi-final line-up in the Solly Sports Heavy Woollen Cup after a 104-run victory against Castleford at Savile Park.
New Farnley were in strife at 63-6, but Fletcher Coutts (28), Gabe Field (23) and, particularly, Gurman Randhawa (50) helped them to 185.
Ed Morrison impressed with the ball, taking 4-24, while Joshua Wood (2-37) and Owen Smith (2-29) also pitched in.
Then the outstanding Taylor Robinson backed up his 13 not out by taking 4-12 from seven overs, Randhawa (pictured) snaffling 3-30 and Adam Ahmed 2-16 as spin ruled, Castleford, without David Wainwright and Matt Rees, being tumbled for 81.
New Farnley now host Hoylandswaine, with Woodlands travelling to York.