News
League opens investigation after ‘finger-click’ catches video goes viral
Footage appears to show a slip fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passes the bat. The league is reviewing every match he played this season.
By CricRadio staff
An English club cricket league has opened a formal investigation after footage appeared to show a slip fielder clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat, imitating the sound of an edge and drawing successful caught-behind appeals.
What happened
The clip, filmed from behind the bowler’s arm during a second XI fixture last month, has been viewed more than two million times. In it, keeper and slip appeal together as the ball passes several inches from the bat, and the umpire raises his finger while the batter looks on in disbelief.
It was first shared by a player from the opposing side, who said he had noticed an unusual number of caught-behind decisions. Within hours, players from other clubs began posting their own clips and scorecards.
The official response
We take any allegation of this kind extremely seriously. We are speaking to the umpires involved and reviewing footage from every fixture the player has appeared in this season.
— Statement from the league’s disciplinary committee
The club involved said it was cooperating fully and that the player had been stood down from selection while the review takes place.
Why it matters at club level
Most club matches are played without replays or the edge-detection technology used in the professional game, which leaves umpires relying almost entirely on sound for thin edges. That makes the alleged tactic harder to spot, and potentially more effective, than it would be on television.
| Matches | Keeper catches | Per match | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With the slip fielder | 13 | 39 | 3.00 |
| Without him | 7 | 5 | 0.71 |
What happens next
The disciplinary committee interviews both umpires and the players involved.
Footage from all 13 fixtures is reviewed, with a report due within three weeks.
If deliberate deception is found, a suspension of up to a full season is possible, and affected results can be overturned.
Whatever the finding, umpires’ associations have already asked for guidance on similar appeals, and at least one county board is considering a reminder on the laws of fair play before next season.
