Clicky Ponting pays a heavy price for a little finger trick, his club relegated
In cricket, a sharp pair of hands can make all the difference at slip. Brian Devine, however, appears to have found another use for his fingers. The English club cricketer, nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting', has been banned from the sport for two years after a finger-clicking controversy that brought unwanted attention to the world of amateur cricket.
38-year-old Brian Devine was at the centre of a scandal in July after footage from a North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League Division Two match between Saltburn Cricket Club's second XI and Norton CC went viral.
The video appeared to show Devine, fielding at slip, clicking his fingers as the ball passed the bat of Norton batter Noman Shabir. The wicketkeeper, Josh Bowes, collected the ball and the fielders appealed. The umpire gave Shabir out caught behind, despite the batter appearing to dispute the decision.
The alleged trick was intended to imitate the sound of an edge, and further videos of similar incidents subsequently emerged online. Devine was nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting' in a reference to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. @Saltburncc First slip clicks his fingers to imitate an edge, bat nowhere near it and given out. This is about the worst case of cheating I’ve ever seen in cricket. Apparently, their keeper has a huge amount of catches this season. @talkSPORT @bbctms @SkyCricket @TailendersPod https://t.co/iM7lZfKF5q— Ben Mummery???????? (@ben_mummery) July 27, 2026
The North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League launched an investigation into the incidents. Devine was provisionally suspended by Saltburn for the remainder of the 2026 season while the process was underway.
Following player interviews, written statements and a review of video footage by a three-person disciplinary panel, Devine and Saltburn accepted misconduct charges. The sanctions were announced on Friday, November 6, following an appeal by the club against its original punishment.WHAT ARE THE SANCTIONS?
Devine has been banned from all cricket under the England and Wales Cricket Board's jurisdiction until September 29, 2028. The suspension covers playing, coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing junior teams.
Saltburn have also been hit with a series of penalties. Their second XI have been relegated from Division Two to Division Three of the league and will begin the 2027 season with a 60-point deduction. The club has also been fined £300.
The decision means Middlesbrough CC's second XI, who had previously been relegated, retain their place in Division Two.
In a statement, Saltburn said: "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 focusing on preparations for the 2027 season."
The league, meanwhile, acknowledged the strain the controversy had placed on those involved, particularly people who faced abuse online and in person. It urged the public to respect the conclusion of the disciplinary process, adding that it would make no further comment.
The incident attracted attention well beyond the local league, with footage of the alleged deception circulating widely on social media and drawing reactions from the cricket fraternity. What began as an unusual dismissal in a local club match eventually became an international talking point.- Ends
