A rare allegation of cheating, not fixing, emerges in a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match. To dismiss a batter, the fielder posted in the first slip is alleged to make a sound with his fingers to mimic an edge. Footage of the moment when the fielder was visibly moving his fingers before the ball went past the bat is currently circulating on social media platforms.
The match, Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI, has become one of the talking points among cricket fans across social media platforms because of the footage. If the claims are to be believed, then the fielder standing at the slip, near the wicketkeeper, made noise to befool the umpire.
A fielder allegedly clicked his finger to mimic the sound to trick the umpire
The trick seemed to have worked as the umpire raised his finger, followed by an appeal. The footage shows the ball past the bat, maintaining a visible distance. But the umpire signalled for the caught behind the stumps as there was a noise, which is suspected to be made by the fielder.
Middlesbrough second XI, the other team of the match, eventually lost the match to Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI by 29 runs. After the match, when the cricket fans were raising their doubts over the fielder’s move, Middlesbrough second XI captain Rory Cotterill made a huge claim.
Middlesbrough second XI captain Rory Cotterill demands action against Saltburn Cricket Club’s second XI
According to Rory, not once, but at least twice in the same match. The skipper claimed that a 15- and 16-year-old were involved in the instances. He further claimed that he was on the non-striker’s end when all of these things were happening right in front of his eyes. However, like the umpire, Rory was also not well aware of what actually happened there.
“Boro 2s skippa here, were 2 more incidents during this game, leading to a 15 and 16 year old being cheated out of an innings, along with this one. 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,” Rory Cotterill stated.
Boro 2s skippa here, was 2 more incidents during this game, leading to a 15 and 16 year old being cheated out of an innings, along with this one. I was at the non strikers end at the time unknowingly watching them cheat in real time. We lost this game 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 actions.
“It all stinks mate, hopefully the league punish them accordingly,” he added.
An official investigation has been started
Later, North Yorkshire and South Durham ECB Premier Cricket League, through an ‘X’ post, confirmed that they have initiated an investigation process after receiving a formal complaint related to a Division Two match.
“The League has received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday. A full investigation has been initiated, and until the formal processes are complete, no further comment will be made,” NYSDCricket informed in their official post. On July 28.
The League have received a formal complaint regarding alleged incidents in a Division Two game on Saturday. A full investigation has been initiated and until such time as the formal processes are complete no further comment will be made.
— Official NYSDCricket (@NYSDCricket) July 27, 2026
It is an interesting case in English cricket and equally interesting to see what the cricket management of the league will find after the investigation process they have started.