# The Click Heard Round the Cricket World: Saltburn Scandal Expands to Third XI

**By Arjun Mehta**  \nPublished August 2, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> Amateur cricket's viral finger-clicking scandal widens as new footage implicates a second Saltburn player, deepening a crisis that has drawn global scrutiny.

What began as a localized social media storm over a single, highly scrutinized slip catch in North Yorkshire has rapidly metastasized into a systemic integrity crisis for recreational cricket. Saltburn Cricket Club, already reeling from viral footage that launched a global investigation into its second XI, now faces fresh accusations implicating a second player within its third XI.

The controversy first erupted following a Division Two fixture against Norton Cricket Club. Video footage captured slip fielder Brian Devine—dubbed Clicky Ponting across global platforms—allegedly snapping his fingers precisely as the ball passed an opposing batter's edge, mimicking the acoustic crack of a genuine nick. The resulting appeal convinced the umpire, leading to a caught-behind dismissal and a 159-run victory that has since faced intense retrospective scrutiny.

With the original clip surging past seven and a million views on social media, the fallout has been immediate and severe. Brian Devine was suspended by the club for the foreseeable future and was absent as Saltburn's second team returned to action against Marton, sliding to a nine-wicket defeat. Citing the crushing weight of public attention and logistical strains during the holiday season, Saltburn also conceded a subsequent midweek cup fixture against Marton's second team.

Yet, archival digging and fresh submissions from rival clubs suggest the practice may not have been confined to a single rogue fielder. Berkshire-based umpire Andy Smy shared new footage on social media with the caption Follow the trail to Saltburn 3rd XI, appearing to show another Saltburn player employing a matching acoustic ruse during a match against Marton's youth-laden lineup.

**The Scale of the Suspicion**

- **First XI / Second XI:** Original viral complaints focus on slip fielder Brian Devine during a Division Two match against Norton.
- **Third XI:** Newly surfaced footage shared by umpire Andy Smy implicates an additional player in a fixture against Marton.
- **Wicketkeeping Anomalies:** Opposing captains noted statistical spikes, pointing to a match against Shildon Railway where Saltburn's keeper claimed eight catches—surpassing any single-innings Test record.Reactions across the wider cricketing ecosystem have underscored the gravity of the incident. Somerset and England batter Tom Banton weighed in on the controversy, telling Sky Sports: It's interesting, kind of clever in a way. But I cannot vouch for things like that, it's not acceptable. It's been caught out and something is going to be done about it because I'm not sure it's in the rules of cricket.

Meanwhile, the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has maintained a formal posture of due process. In an official statement, league administrators emphasized the necessity of natural justice while acknowledging widespread community concern: A full investigation has been initiated, and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made. The league also highlighted player welfare, noting an active effort to support individuals within the volunteer-run club as the disciplinary framework grinds forward.

For Devine, a 38-year-old auction mart worker from Guisborough, the transition from local league fixture to international notoriety has been jarring. Friends report that he is entirely bewildered by the global reach of the scandal—which drew attention and unsolicited legal aid offers as far away as Australia—and intends to keep a low profile while the investigation runs its course. Saltburn Cricket Club officials have declined further comment beyond confirming Devine's suspension, leaving the recreational community waiting to see whether penalties will remain isolated to individual actors or encompass broader institutional sanctions.

## Sources

- [Paul Sims 
			 

			 , Special Correspondent](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/39940313/cricket-cheat-scandal-saltburn-player-accused-finger-trick/) — original
- [Tara Anson-walsh](https://www.dailymail.com/sport/cricket/article-16022099/clicky-ponting-saltburn-cricket-club-fresh-scandal-erupts.html) — original
- [skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/13568215/clicky-ponting-scandal-cricketer-at-centre-of-investigation-suspended-after-cheating-accusations-with-team-conceding-next-match) — original
- [heraldsun.com.au](https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/player-at-the-centre-of-english-local-cricket-cheating-probe-suspended-as-team-forfeits/news-story/04d8d2fa264d09a3eeaf5c483e72389c?nk=e88ba2863cb8c562d5ea7db5aa9b436a-1785359905) — original
- [bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cg7m5grrp7ko) — original