Cricket is commonly known as the ‘gentleman’s game’ with those who take part traditionally placing a significant emphasis on fair play, etiquette and mutual respect.Such values seemingly haven’t landed at Saltburn CC after the North Yorkshire club was embroiled in a cheating storm that has gone viral online and on social media.The video evidence appears damning. Multiple clips show slip fielder Brian Devine clicking his fingers as the ball passes the batsman to mimic the sound of an edge.Devine’s aim is as clear as it is shocking – to con the umpire into giving his team a wicket. It’s hard to always agree with Piers Morgan, but the television personality nailed it when being just one of millions to have his say on the incident. Morgan, who is a big cricket fan, described Saltburn’s antics as ‘outrageous cheating’, a ‘shameful scam’ and ‘pathetic’.Spot on.The North Yorkshire and South Durham League has launched an investigation into Saltburn, Devine and its players. Amateur cricket player Brian Devine has been caught appearing to click his fingers to make it appear that a batter has been caught behind when in fact they haven’t hit the ball at all The cheating storm involving the Saltburn player has gone viral on social media with Piers Morgan labelling it as ‘outrageous cheating’, a ‘shameful scam’ and ‘pathetic’ Norton batsman Noman Shabir protested that he didn’t touch the ball after being given out An investigation has been launched by the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, who must throw the book at Saltburn and Devine to send a message there is no space in cricket for these anticsIt must throw the book at them and in the process send a message that there is no place in cricket – no matter the level at which it is played – for such disgraceful antics.The same applies to any other sport.Cheats must always be punished. And just like Australian cricketers Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner were in 2018 for their roles in the sandpaper ball-tampering, the same must apply to those at Saltburn. Long bans and points deductions should be the bare minimum for those found to have been part of the subterfuge once the investigation is complete. It’s vitally important that a message is sent to those who play grassroots cricket that any sort of attempt to fool an umpire is unacceptable. The officials at that level have a hard enough job as it is. As someone who plays grassroots cricket in south-east Wales, I know that all too well. I’ve been on the wrong end of my fair share of disputable leg before wicket dismissals. Only last weekend, I saw my team-mate given out caught behind when the ball quite clearly came off his thigh pad. These incidents can be hugely frustrating, but there is an acceptance (after a few lagers) that they are human error. What has happened in the case of the umpires who have taken charge of Saltburn matches is that they have been hoodwinked.Pure and simple. I have played club cricket for a long time and never seen anything like it.One question must be asked of Saltburn and Devine.Just how desperate do you have to be to try and win a game of recreational cricket by resorting to such means?Their actions have painted what is supposed to be the ‘gentleman’s game’ in an awful light.