The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League is currently investigating allegations of cheating following an incident during a Division Two match on July 25 involving Saltburn Cricket Club. Video footage circulated on social media appears to show Saltburn slip fielder Brian Devine clicking his fingers to simulate the sound of a ball hitting the bat, potentially misleading the umpire.
The incident occurred during Saltburn’s match against Norton Cricket Club. According to the video, Devine’s finger-clicking coincided with a caught behind decision against Norton batsman Noman Shabir, who was subsequently given out. Shabir visibly contested the decision, gesturing toward players and the umpire before reluctantly leaving the field. Saltburn went on to win the match by 159 runs after bowling Norton out for 143.
Following the video’s circulation, additional clips emerged online showing other instances involving Saltburn players allegedly engaging in similar behavior. In response, the league confirmed on Monday evening that it had received a formal complaint and launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The league stated that no further comments would be made until the inquiry is complete.
Saltburn Cricket Club has also taken internal action. The club suspended Brian Devine "for the foreseeable future" pending the outcome of the investigation. In a statement, Saltburn described the situation as distressing and emphasized the seriousness with which the club is treating the allegations. The club highlighted its commitment to a full investigation in cooperation with the league and noted that Devine will not participate in any further matches this season or until the investigation is resolved.
The statement further requested that the public respect the personal boundaries and privacy of all involved, noting that Saltburn is an amateur club run entirely by volunteers.
Separately, Saltburn’s wicketkeeper Josh Bowes drew attention during the match by taking two catches behind the stumps, increasing his total to 31 dismissals in eight league games this season—an average of nearly four catches per match. Bowes has taken more catches than any other keeper in Division Two, substantially outpacing the second-highest tally despite having played fewer matches.
The league’s investigation into the alleged cheating incident is ongoing. Both the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League and Saltburn Cricket Club have pledged to conduct a thorough review before reaching any conclusions.