'Clicky Ponting' scandal: North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League expresses 'genuine concern' for Saltburn members

The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League has expressed its "genuine concern for the welfare" of Saltburn Cricket Club members as it continues its inquiry into the 'Clicky Ponting' cheating controversy.

Video footage of a Saltburn player, who has been named as Brian Devine, allegedly clicking his fingers to get a caught-behind wicket in a recent second-team game against Norton sparked outrage and went viral on social media.

The NYSDL launched an investigation on Monday, while Saltburn have suspended Devine for the "foreseeable future" and said they were treating allegations of cheating "with the utmost seriousness".

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In a further statement, the League said on Friday that it had met with Saltburn officials and had received guidance from the England and Wales Cricket Board to ensure it follows "a due and appropriate process that has to be comprehensive and fair to all".

The League added: "Whilst we understand, to some degree, the interest this issue has generated in the press and media it is imperative that now this process is under way that the rights of all parties are observed, including the overriding principles of natural justice and a right to a fair hearing for any individual or any entity concerned. Anything less risks prejudicing any formal actions which may follow.

"Finally we would want to place on record our genuine concern for the welfare for those at Saltburn Cricket Club and ask for all to take that into account - there are many people at the club and one of our aims will be to provide them with any well-being support we can."

The video footage was met with global condemnation, with the incident making headlines in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India and the USA among other countries, while it has been dubbed 'Clicky Ponting' in reference to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Saltburn, 17 points clear at the top of Division Two after winning the match by 159 runs, conceded Wednesday's second-team cup match against Marton in the wake of the controversy.

In response to the video footage on social media, Middlesbrough's second XI captain Rory Cotterill claimed there were two more incidents of cheating in his side's 29-run defeat to Saltburn last month.

More video footage has since emerged, which allegedly shows Devine, then playing for Pudsey St Lawrence in the Bradford Premier League, repeatedly clicking his fingers while opponents were batting.

Pudsey St Lawrence said in a statement on Thursday: "At no stage was the club aware of any alleged misconduct by Mr Devine, nor were any concerns or complaints raised with the club by opposition teams or umpires who officiated the fixtures in question.

"The club expects its players to uphold the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship and takes any credible concerns extremely seriously."

The Bradford League added in a statement: "We are aware of the video footage circulating, but it is not our policy to undertake retrospective investigations."