An amateur cricketer has received a two-year ban following his involvement in the ‘Clicky Ponting’ cheating scandal that gained global attention. Brian Devine stood fielding at slip and clicked his fingers to imitate the sound of a cricket ball edging the bat.
The Investigation and Penalties
Playing for the second XI of Saltburn, Devine appeared in a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD) Division Two fixture against Norton during July. The England and Wales Cricket Board has now prohibited him from participating in any cricket under its authority until September 29, 2028.
Furthermore, Saltburn’s second XI suffered relegation from Division Two and will begin their 2027 campaign in Division Three accompanied by a 60-point penalty, alongside a £300 fine for the club. The NYSD stated that it received multiple grievances concerning the behavior of both Devine and Saltburn across various matches.
While both the individual and the organization confessed to the accusations, Devine agreed to his penalty whereas Saltburn challenged theirs. The NYSD maintained the conviction that additional Saltburn players participated, even though Devine remained the sole player penalized.
The league noted that complaints arrived in late July regarding the conduct of the Saltburn player, prompting an inquiry with the club’s assistance. This multi-week process incorporated interviews with players, written declarations, and a thorough examination of video recordings.
The Viral Incident
Recording from the fixture between Saltburn and Norton shows Devine snapping his fingers as the delivery travels past Noman Shabir’s bat ahead of wicketkeeper Josh Bowes claiming the catch. Saltburn immediately appealed, leading the umpire to dismiss Shabir.
The video recording spread rapidly across online platforms, drawing international news coverage. As a consequence of the disciplinary outcome, Devine is barred from playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring, or managing junior squads throughout his two-year suspension.
The demotion of Saltburn’s second team grants a safety lifeline to Middlesbrough’s second XI after they secured 11th position in the 12-team division. Meanwhile, Saltburn’s premier team had previously dropped out of the NYSD Premier League following an 11th-place finish.
The NYSD acknowledged the pressure experienced by numerous individuals, particularly those subjected to verbal abuse online and physically, and urged everyone to respect the conclusion of the formal proceedings. BBC Sport reached out to Saltburn CC and Devine to request comments.
