A rare allegation, not of fixing but of fraud, has emerged in a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match. To dismiss a batsman, the fielder positioned at first slip is charged with making a sound with his fingers to mimic an edge. The footage of the moment when the fielder was apparently shaking his fingers before the ball crossed the bat is currently circulating on social media platforms.
The match, featuring Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI, has become a topic of discussion among cricket fans on social media platforms due to the footage. If the claims are to be believed, the fielder standing at slip near the wicketkeeper made noise to fool the umpire.
A fielder allegedly clicked his finger to imitate the sound to trick the umpire
The ploy seemed to work as the umpire raised his finger, following which an appeal was made. The footage shows the ball passing through the bat while maintaining a clear distance. But due to noise behind the stumps, the umpire signaled a catch, which was suspected to have been made by the fielder.
The other team of the match, Middlesbrough Second XI, eventually lost the match to Saltburn Cricket Club Second XI by 29 runs. After the match, when cricket fans were doubting the actions of the fielder, Middlesbrough’s second XI captain Rory Cotterill made a big claim.
Middlesbrough Second XI captain Rory Cotterill calls for action against Saltburn Cricket Club’s Second XI
According to Rory, not once, but at least twice in the same match. The captain claimed that 15 and 16 year old teenagers were involved in these incidents. He further claimed that he was at the non-striker’s end when all these things were happening right before his eyes. However, like the umpire, Rory was also not well informed about what actually happened there.
Rory Cotterill said, “Boro 2s Skippa here, there were 2 more incidents during this game which led to a 15 and 16 year old kid being thrown out of an innings. I was at the non-striker’s end at the time, unknowingly watching them cheat in real time. We lost this game by 29 runs. Shocking.”
Boro 2s Skippa, 2 further incidents occurred during this game, resulting in a 15 and 16 year old being ejected from an innings as well as this incident. I was at the non-striker’s end at that time and unknowingly watched them cheat in real time. We lost this match by 29 runs. Shocking. pic.twitter.com/BTTngKbjw3
– Rory99 (@rorycotters9) July 27, 2026
In the same video post shared by Ben Mummery, Rory Cotterill demanded appropriate action against such shameful acts.
He said, “This is all bullshit buddy, hopefully the league punishes them accordingly.”
An official investigation has been launched
Later, North Yorkshire and South Durham ECB Premier Cricket League confirmed via an ‘X’ post that they had launched an investigation process after receiving a formal complaint relating to the Division Two match.
“The league has received a formal complaint regarding the alleged incidents in Saturday’s Division Two game. A full investigation has been launched and no further comment will be made until formal processes are completed,” NYSDcricket said in its official post. On 28th July.
The league has received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in the Division Two game on Saturday. A full investigation has been launched and no further comment will be made until formal procedures are completed.
– Official NYSDCricket (@NYSDCricket) July 27, 2026
This is an interesting case in English cricket and it is equally interesting to see what the league’s cricket management will conclude after the investigation process initiated.
