League has 'genuine concern' for members over cheating claim

An amateur cricket league has expressed its "genuine concern for the welfare" of Saltburn Cricket Club members over a recent finger clicking controversy that has made global headlines.

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League spoke out in the wake of worldwide interest in an alleged incident that has led to a player being suspended by the club.

That happened after a video from the second XI Division 2 game involving Saltburn and Norton went viral on social media.

The video appeared to show Saltburn fielder Brian Devine clicking his fingers in order to trick the umpire into giving a Norton batter out.

On Monday, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League began an investigation into Devine, who has been suspended by Saltburn for the "foreseeable future".

The league said it is treating allegations of cheating "with the utmost seriousness", and in a statement on Friday called for the "rights of all parties" to be observed in the face of intense scrutiny on social media.

"We would want to place on record our genuine concern for the welfare for those at Saltburn Cricket Club and ask for all to take that into account - there are many people at the club and one of our aims will be to provide them with any wellbeing support we can," the league said.

"Whilst we understand, to some degree, the interest this issue has generated in the press and media, it is imperative that now this process is under way that the rights of all parties are observed, including the overriding principles of natural justice and a right to a fair hearing for any individual or any entity concerned.

"Anything less risks prejudicing any formal actions which may follow."

The incident has been dubbed 'Clicky Ponting' - a pun on the name of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Saltburn, in their own statement on Wednesday, said: "We believe that the club acted decisively as soon as the complaint and investigation were made known to us.

"The player at the centre of the complaint has been suspended and will not play again for the club this season or in the forseeable future, pending the outcome of this investigation."

That statement added: "This has been a very distressing and stressful experience for all those concerned, and we would ask that this reality is borne in mind and that personal boundaries are respected, as we are an amateur club entirely run by volunteers."