A video of a Saltburn Cricket Club fielder allegedly clicking his fingers to get a caught-behind wicket has gone viral, sparking widespread condemnation and a full investigation by the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.
The fielder, known as "Clicky Ponting" by fans, has been suspended by the club after the video, which was posted on Monday evening, showed him clicking his fingers as the ball passed Norton batter Noman Shabir's bat before being caught by wicketkeeper Josh Bowes.
The incident occurred during a match between Saltburn's second XI and Norton in Division Two, which Saltburn won by 159 runs.
Saltburn Cricket Club has announced that they are "treating this allegation with the utmost seriousness" and have fully cooperated with the NYS League's investigation.
The club's second-team fixture against Marton was cancelled this week, with Saltburn opting to concede the cup match following the controversial news.
A statement released by the club on social media read: "This is issued in response to the widely publicised complaint made against a Saltburn Cricket Club member and, as a consequence, against the club more generally."
The viral video has now had over seven-and-a-half million views on X, with several celebrities condemning the behaviour.
Saltburn's position at the top of Division Two, 17 points clear, has not gone unnoticed, with many calling for the club to take a strong stance on the issue.
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has launched a full investigation into the incident, with the outcome pending.
The club has announced that 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 the investigation.
As the investigation continues, fans are left to wonder what the outcome will be and whether the player will face any further action.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about sportsmanship and fair play in cricket, with many calling for a zero-tolerance approach to cheating.
The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched by fans and cricket officials alike, with the possibility of disciplinary action against the player and the club.
Source: Yahoo Sports