The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has opened a formal investigation into Saltburn Cricket Club following allegations of cheating during a Division Two match on Saturday.
Footage circulating on social media shows a Saltburn first slip fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes the bat, creating a sound that mimics an edge.
The umpire subsequently awarded a caught-behind dismissal.
Local cricketer Ben Mummery shared the video and called it the worst case of cheating he had ever seen.
He noted that Saltburn's wicketkeeper has a high number of catches this season.
Middlesbrough second XI captain Rory Cotterill confirmed that similar tactics were used against other batters, including two teenage players aged 15 and 16, who were given out controversially.
Cotterill, who was at the non-striker's end during one incident, said he witnessed the cheating in real time.
His team lost the match by 29 runs.
Further scrutiny arose from season statistics showing Saltburn's wicketkeeper claimed 31 catches in eight matches, including eight in a single innings against Shildon Railway—more than the Test match record of seven.
Following the backlash, official match streams were removed from Saltburn's website. Cricket commentator Amer Malik called for severe penalties, including relegation and bans for all involved players.
League officials confirmed a formal complaint has been received and a full investigation is underway. No further comment will be made until the process is complete.
