Amateur cricketer Devine banned for two years for ‘Clicky Ponting’ conduct

Amateur cricketer Brian Devine clicked his fingers while fielding at slip to mimic the sound of the ball taking the edge of the bat, and has been banned from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the England and Wales Cricket Board until 29 September 2028 after admitting his role in the “Clicky Ponting” cheating scandal.

Devine, 38, a father of one who lives in Guisborough, Cleveland, was playing for Saltburn’s second XI in Division Two of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League (NYSD) when footage of his actions went viral across social media in July.

The clip showed a match against Norton in which batter Noman Shabir played his first delivery, which pitched outside the off stump, and missed it completely. As the ball went past the bat, Devine, standing at first slip, clicked his fingers; the sound imitated a ball brushing the edge, and when the wicketkeeper collected the delivery the umpire raised his finger and sent Shabir back to the pavilion.

The game had been live-streamed, and the recording was preserved on the ECB’s Play Cricket website. A Norton player who posted the video online described the incident as the worst case of cheating he had ever seen.

How the investigation unfolded

The viral footage earned Devine a nickname in a nod to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Saltburn provisionally suspended him for the remainder of the 2026 season while the league investigated. In late July the NYSD received complaints about the alleged conduct of a Saltburn second XI player in Division Two matches and opened an investigation with the club’s co-operation; the league confirmed it had received complaints relating to the conduct of Devine and Saltburn in multiple matches.

The inquiry ran over several weeks and included player interviews, written statements and a detailed review of video footage by a three-person disciplinary panel.

Investigators also examined a match against Shildon Railway on 18 July, in which Saltburn’s wicketkeeper Josh Bowes was credited with eight catches — more than the men’s Test record for wicketkeeper catches in a single innings, which stands at seven across a period covering roughly 2,600 matches and 150 years.

Although Devine was the only player sanctioned, the league said it was of the belief that other members of the Saltburn team were involved.

Sanctions against player and club

The two-year ban, running until 29 September 2028, covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams in all cricket run by the ECB.

Saltburn’s second XI, whose appeal failed, have been relegated from Division Two and will begin the 2027 season in Division Three with a 60-point deduction, and the club has been fined £300. Middlesbrough CC, who had previously dropped down to Division Three, have been reinstated to Division Two in their place.

Club confirms acceptance of disciplinary ruling

Saltburn said in a statement:

“The club fully participated in the disciplinary proceedings and accept the decision of the appeal following the original decision from the League. We are now focussing on preparations for the 2027 season.” Saltburn CC

The league has emailed every club in its system to acknowledge the strain the scandal caused, and sought to draw a line under the proceedings:

The League recognises the strain this has placed on many people, especially those who were abused online and in person. We ask everyone to respect that the formal process is now complete.

Devine cannot play until September 2028. The league believes other Saltburn players were involved, but it has sanctioned no one else, so that question remains open.